Hit the Target

Laser tag style game where the player uses a laser pointer to hit targets

info

Author: Echim Eugen Andrei
GitHub Project Link: Link to github

Description

This project replicates a laser tag style game where the player uses a laser pointer to hit targets. The system consists of three targets that rise using servo motors. Each target is equipped with a photoresistor to detect laser hits. When a hit is registered, the corresponding target drops and a point is added to the player's score.

Motivation

Laser tag and arcade shooting games are widely popular and engaging. This project merges fun with technical learning, making it ideal for exploring electronics, sensors, microcontrollers, and motor control. It also enables skill development in coding, circuit design, and hardware-software integration.

Architecture

• Raspberry Pi Pico 2W x2 - One reads sensor input, controls servo motors, and handles game logic and the other is used for debugging.
• Photoresistors (LDRs) - Detect laser light intensity. Connected via voltage divider circuits to ADC pins on the Pico.
• Push Buttons - Used for game control (reset, start game, type name, stop game).
• Stepper Motors - Physically raise and lower targets. Driven using motor driver modules connected to GPIO pins.
• Green LED - Flashes when target is hit. Connected to GPIO pin with a current-limiting resistor.
• LCD Display - Shows current score and possibly additional messages. Connected via I2C interface to Pico 2W
• Buttons - Used to write score name on LCD. Connected to digital input pins with pull-down or pull-up resistors

Log

Week 5 - 11 May

Week 12 - 18 May

Week 19 - 25 May

Hardware:

Raspberry Pi Pico 2W

• Purpose: Controls all components
• Function: Coordinates operations of sensors, motors, and LCD display

Photoresistors (LDRs)

• Purpose: Detect laser hits
• Function: Monitor light intensity

Stepper Motors

• Purpose: Raise/lower targets
• Function: Trigger movement upon hit detection

Push Buttons

• Purpose: User interface
• Function: Write score name, reset game

Green LED

• Purpose: Visual hit feedback
• Function: Blink on hit detection

LCD Display

• Purpose: Show score and interface
• Function: Real-time game info

Schematics

Bill of Materials

Device	Usage	Price
Raspberry Pi Pico 2W	Main microcontrollers	39.66
Stepper Motors	Target actuation	16.97
LDR	Detects laser light	9.60
LCD Display	LCD for score	23.99
Resistor 220 ohm	For LED	0.07
Push Buttons	For LCD navigation	0.37
Breadboard	Circuit prototyping	9.98
Jumper wires	Circuit connections	0.37
LED Green	Visual feedback	0.39
Cardboard/Wood	Target construction	-

Software

Library	Description	Usage
embassy-rp	RP2040 Peripherals	Used for accessing the peripherals with async support
rp2040-hal	Raspberry Pi Pico HAL	Low-level peripheral access
embedded-hal	Abstraction traits for embedded devices	Used for writing generic driver code
lcd1602	LCD Display via I2C	To display the score and messages on the LCD
stepper	Stepper motor control	Used to raise and lower targets

Links

1. Inspiration