2. Requirements

The vision code will essentially work with robots built using various technologies.

This vision code is written in Python 2, which will run on, amongst other things, a Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized computer that can be plugged into a screen and a keyboard. It is an inexpensive (around $40), capable little computer which can be used in electronics projects and robotics, and for many of the things that your desktop PC does.

My robot uses a Raspberry Pi, and Lego. The hardware interface between the RPi and the Lego Mindstorms EV3 motors and sensors is provided by BrickPi3 from Dexter Industries.

The Lego build is based on "Charlie The Chess Robot", by Darrous Hadi, modified by me, including mods to use an RPi, rather than the Lego Mindstorms processor. Lego Mindstorms EV3 motors and sensors are used.

You will also need a table, a camera, lighting, a keyboard, screen and pointing device (e.g. mouse).

And of course, chess pieces and a board.

I will describe all these things in more detail in the subsequent pages.