Net Ninja Autonomous Goalkeeper

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of goalkeeper robots using the Yolov8 algorithm for real-time ball detection and tracking. The prototype robot integrates two ELP cameras for visual inputs, a PC for image processing and prediction, a servo motor with drivers for actuation, and an ESP32 microcontroller for wireless communication between the PC and motor. The system continuously processes live footage from the two cameras to detect and track the ball's movement. Upon detection, the system calculates the ball's trajectory and transmits corresponding positional data to the ESP32 microcontroller, which generates step and direction signals to control the servo motor driver. To stop the incoming ball, the servo motor rotates the goalkeeper aluminum structure from 0 to 180 degrees. Testing of the initial prototype achieved 65-70% accuracy in blocking shots. However, after applying optimizations in the prediction algorithm and motor response we achieved a shot blocking accuracy of 87%.