Fish Out of Water: Camera Setup Lets Goldfish Drive RC Tank          By Devin Coldewey

         

At last, Goldie can have the freedom it deserves: This mobile fish tank can be driven around the room, guided by the fish inside. Why, you ask? Why not?

"Fish on Wheels" was developed by Dutch inventors at Studio Diip "in an attempt to liberate fish all over the world." A camera above the tank tracks the fish's location, and attempts to steer in the direction the fish seems like it wants to go.

Studio Diip

It's similar to previous work the studio has done: The team focuses on computer vision, using cameras to identify and track things, from vegetables to golf swings. Finding a big orange fish on a blank background isn't hard for humans, but making a computer do it accurately many times a second is no simple task.

Still, these experts did it in their free time, hooking the imager up to a battery-powered circuitboard and motor. It's reminiscent of the "Bird Buggy," which allowed a restless parrot to roam his owner's apartment freely.