Laser safety

Utinvm is built around a Class 2 laser pointer: under 1 mW of visible red light, the kind used for presentations. Treat it with the same care, every time.

Use a Class 2 pointer only

The label on the pointer must say Class 2 (or Class II) and an output under 1 mW. If it has no label, or a higher class (3R, 3B, 4), do not use it with this project.

Do not modify the pointer, its lens or its battery to make it brighter.

Where it points

Never aim at eyes, people, animals, vehicles or aircraft, and never look into the beam or its reflection in a mirror or glass.

Use it indoors, in a room you control. While it is armed, nobody should walk through the area it can sweep. It is for adults 18 and over. Keep the turret and the pointer away from children.

What the software does, and what it doesn't

The turret starts disarmed and needs the 24 V supply on, a deliberate command and a key press to arm. It never scores a hit while the aim point is near a face, and it ignores balloons near a person's head and animals. SPACE stops all motion.

These interlocks rely on a camera and a detection model, which can miss. They reduce risk; they do not replace your attention.

A small servo presses the pointer's button. It flashes the dot for a moment on each scored hit, only while the turret is armed, and lets go when the lock is lost, a face comes near the aim point, the turret is disarmed or stopped, the 24 V is switched off, or the app goes quiet for 5 seconds. Switch the 24 V off when you are not using the turret.

The law where you live

Rules on laser pointers differ by country. Check yours before you build, and follow the stricter rule when in doubt.