Turtles, turtle.detectLeft() turtle.detectRight()

I think that turtles should be able to detect objects on either side to aid in navigation.
Great work so far, I'm excited to see what's ahead!

–Anoliss

Can't you just do this?

 
function detectLeft()
   turtle.turnLeft()
   return(turtle.detect())
   turtle.turnRight()
end
function detectRight()
   turtle.turnRight()
   return(turtle.detect())
   turtle.turnLeft()
end

Well, I would say that too, except that it is painfully slow when it comes to pathfinding and stuff like that.

ComputerCraftFan11, on 05 April 2012 - 06:29 AM said:

Can't you just do this?

function detectLeft()
   turtle.turnLeft()
   return(turtle.detect())
   turtle.turnRight()
end
function detectRight()
   turtle.turnRight()
   return(turtle.detect())
   turtle.turnLeft()
end

You, could. However, I agree with Liraal, it would be more efficient to have detectors for the sides.

True, but humans don't have eyes on the sides of their head.
But you're right, robots can have them, so why not turtles? They should have them.
And if left and right detecing is added, why not add turtle.detectBack() too? :P/>/>

Dirkus7, on 12 April 2012 - 08:33 PM said:

True, but humans don't have eyes on the sides of their head.
But you're right, robots can have them, so why not turtles? They should have them.
And if left and right detecing is added, why not add turtle.detectBack() too? :)/>/>

Humans don't have eyes on the sides of their head, but they have hands (not on their head :)/>/>)

ComputerCraftFan11, on 05 April 2012 - 06:29 AM said:

Can't you just do this?

function detectLeft()
   turtle.turnLeft()
   return(turtle.detect())
   turtle.turnRight()
end
function detectRight()
   turtle.turnRight()
   return(turtle.detect())
   turtle.turnLeft()
end

Just to point out, that function wouldn't work as it will return from the function before it turns back. A better solution would be this:

function detectLeft()
   turtle.turnLeft()
   local ret = turtle.detect()
   turtle.turnRight()
   return ret
end
function detectRight()
   turtle.turnRight()
   local ret = turtle.detect()
   turtle.turnLeft()
   return ret
end

Dirkus7, on 12 April 2012 - 08:33 PM said:

True, but humans don't have eyes on the sides of their head.
But you're right, robots can have them, so why not turtles? They should have them.
And if left and right detecing is added, why not add turtle.detectBack() too? :P/>/>

But we can move our eyes from side to side.

But we can't see our a*s.

Do something like:

function detect(side)
  rs.setOutput(side, true)
  local r = rs.getInput(side)
  rs.setOutput(side, false)
  return r
end

jesusthekiller, on 20 May 2013 - 05:21 PM said:

But we can't see our a*s.

Do something like:

function detect(side)
  rs.setOutput(side, true)
  local r = rs.getInput(side)
  rs.setOutput(side, false)
  return r
end

That only works with solid blocks, but not with trap doors etc.

This was already denied. It won't be added. Don't bring up something from over a year ago.