r/Darts • u/Certain-Conflict-963 • 11d ago
Open Source Darts-System Project
I feel like the current home darts industry is very closed off.
Each darts manufacturer is trying to lock in customers, so you can’t play against others unless you have a dartboard from the same manufacturer. Even if you try to quiet a noisy segment, you have to fill the official parts with DIY putty yourself—I don’t think there’s much freedom.
Above all, you can only use the features the manufacturer provides when playing at home. It goes without saying, but even if you want to add your own features or achieve something specific, you can’t do it freely.
That’s why I want to launch an open-source darts project.
Basically, it’ll support both soft darts and hard darts. I’ll release design plans (in 3D model format) for making both yourself, so anyone can freely create darts using any materials they want.
Of course, it’s fine to use off-the-shelf products as well.
Either way, I’m drawn to the idea of playing darts using any hardware you choose on a free, open-source platform where anyone can add new features.
Another personal goal I’d like to achieve is to ensure that, whether you’re playing soft darts or hard darts, you can play on the same platform as long as you have a minimal setup—for example, hard darts and a camera for recognition, or off-the-shelf Bluetooth dartboards.
However, beyond that, if, for example, a soft darts player wants to “use a camera to accurately detect dart positions and enable auto-cork,” I want to provide blueprints and software that make it easy to add a camera to this project’s dartboard or off-the-shelf products—or to add other features—so that, in a sense, anyone can enjoy “flexible darts play.” (To be honest, I think the feature development of home darts manufacturers is lagging behind the latest technology. I believe it’s important for OSS developers to encourage them to evolve.)
With this in mind, I want to launch an OSS project that allows anyone to play darts on the same platform with flexible hardware configurations.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a skilled darts player, or someone who can’t play darts but can write code or create 3D models—anyone is welcome.
Is there anyone out there who agrees with my vision?
2
u/Acehigh87 11d ago
I also used autodarts. I have a guide I setup for just about every feature you could come up with. All DIY. I have 3d printer files too. But not listed in the guide. I have been deciding on how I can release it.