Simon Robot

Simon Robot Information

The Simon Robot is used in the C.H.I.P. (Computer Highly Interactive Program) camp. It uses the P89LPC922 microcontroller which is from the same family as the microcontroller used in both Simon Boards. The difference is this microcontroller is available in a 20-pin DIP which is much easier for students to solder. Links to the datasheet and user guideare given below:

Microcontroller Datasheet - Electrical Information about the P89LPC922 http://www.nxp.com/documents/data_sheet/P89LPC920_921_922_9221.pdf

Microcontroller User Manual - Programming and Peripheral Information about the P89LPC922

http://www.nxp.com/documents/user_manual/UM_P89LPC920_921_922.pdf

The Simon Robot has gone through a couple of variations. The original version had a microphone to detect load noises or collisions. It used an internal timer to estimate how far the robot had moved along a user entered path. A collision or other noises picked up from the microphone caused the robot to alter its path. The user could use hand claps to control the robot's movements. It was difficult to balance the sensitivity of the microphone (too sensitive and it sensed the robot movement as a collision and making it less sensitive made difficult to pick up the hand claps used to control the robot). This problem and a different type of wheel from the supplier (one with evenly spaced spokes) led to the use of infra-red sensors being used to detect wheel movement. The robot still follows a user entered path, but the wheel sensors allow for more precise control of the robot's movements. Two snap off boards on the front of the robot have prototyping ares on them and there are additional mounting holes for these boards which allow the user to add a small amount of additional hardware.

The downloads given below are the latest revision of the Simon Robot program, a simple motor control program and a few other game programs that can be run on the Simon Robot.