@dbemowsk original query was for a sliding gate.

Anything else I would say just use 2 pairs of microswitches and if there is any ambiguity, drive direction until a change is noted. Keep it simple.

Utrasonic distance measurement. Mysensors unit is nice and reliable as well.

A bit of googling would have shown me how. Startup or enthusiast licence. Cheers.

@bjornhallberg fusion360 free? Looks like it is $26/month sub'd or $40/month otherwise?