Choose Your Bot Configuration Wisely – Deciding between a two-wheeled vs four-wheeled bot will significantly impact stability, control, and maneuverability. If precise movements and balance are critical, consider a four-wheeled design. If agility and turning radius are priorities, a two-wheeled bot might be better, but be prepared to fine-tune for stability.
Use the Right Microcontroller from the Start – Avoid limiting yourself to an Arduino Uno if your project requires multiple sensors and actuators. An Arduino Mega offers more I/O pins and avoids wiring constraints. Alternatively, using two Unos from the beginning can also help distribute processing loads more effectively.
Plan for the Competition Early – Getting caught up in designing and building is easy, but don’t overlook competition strategy. Set aside dedicated time for testing under real competition conditions, tuning your bot, and preparing for edge cases you might encounter.
Maintain a Tunable Parameter File – Keep a separate file for key parameters (e.g., speed limits, sensor thresholds, timing delays). This will make debugging and adjustments much easier while allowing you to revert to previous working versions of the code if something breaks.
Emphasize Real-Time Feedback for Control – A well-functioning bot relies on continuous sensor feedback and dynamic adjustments rather than static pre-programmed movements. Focus on refining real-time control logic, especially for navigation and object interactions.