Hand Distance Game

Project Description

This project is a real-time hand distance tracking game using computer vision. It uses OpenCV and the cvzone HandTrackingModule to detect hand gestures and calculate the distance between fingers. The game challenges players to hit a moving target by adjusting the distance between their fingers. Sound effects and a countdown timer enhance the gameplay experience.

Key Features

• Hand Gesture Recognition: Uses hand tracking to calculate the distance between fingers.
• Real-time Interaction: Player interacts with a moving target by changing the distance between their fingers.
• Game Mechanics: The player hits a target and earns points when the hand is at a specific distance.
• Sound Effects: Background music and sound effects are added for a fun gaming experience.
• Calibration: The distance is converted to centimeters using polynomial calibration.
• Game Over: Displays the score at the end of the game and offers the option to restart.

Technologies Used

• Python: Programming language used for the application.
• OpenCV: For hand gesture recognition and real-time video processing.
• cvzone: For easy hand detection and interaction with the webcam feed.
• Pygame: For managing music and sound effects.
• Mathematics: Polynomial calibration for converting pixel distance to real-world centimeters.

Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

Before setting up the project, ensure you have the following installed:

• Python 3.x
• pip (Python package installer)

Installing Dependencies

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/HandDistance.git
   cd HandDistance

2. Install the required dependencies:

   pip install opencv-python cvzone pygame numpy

Running the Game

1. Place the sound files (background.mp3 and hit_sound.wav) in the same directory as the script.

2. Run the game:

   python hand_distance_game.py

3. The game will open in a new window, and you can start playing by adjusting the distance between your fingers to hit the target.

4. To restart the game, press R on your keyboard.

Controls

• Hand Movements: Adjust the distance between your fingers to interact with the target.
• Press 'R': Restart the game after it ends.

Game Logic

• The game calculates the distance between the thumb and index finger.
• Based on this distance, the game checks if the player's hand is within the target's range.
• When the player hits the target, the score increases, and the target's position changes.
• The game runs for a set duration (20 seconds), after which the score is displayed, and the player can restart the game.

Challenges Faced and Overcome

1. Changing Coordinates Despite Hand's Static Position: Initially, the distance between the coordinates changed even though the hand remained stationary. To overcome this, the solution was to calculate the diagonal distance between the hand landmarks instead of relying on individual x or y values.

2. Distance Conversion to Centimeters: Converting the distance from pixels to centimeters was challenging due to the variability in camera setups and hand sizes. A polynomial function was used to calibrate the conversion. However, the accuracy varied depending on the camera and hand size. To address this, the possibility of adding a multiplier or creating separate functions for different setups was considered.

3. Visual Delays for Target Color Change: The target color changed too quickly for the player to notice. To resolve this, a counter was added to delay the color change for a few frames. Instead of using time-based delays, the system uses frame counters to control when the color change and target relocation occur, providing a more intuitive and engaging experience.

Troubleshooting

• Camera Not Detected: Ensure your webcam is connected and accessible.
• Hand Detection Issues: Make sure your hand is well-lit and within the camera frame.

Acknowledgments

• OpenCV: For the computer vision capabilities.
• cvzone: For simplifying hand tracking and gesture recognition.
• Pygame: For sound management and adding music to the game.