Sentry Bot Final

UNDERSTAND

Challenge Overview

For this challenge, we had to build a sentry robot that moves efficiently and stays stable. The robot must navigate an area without hitting obstacles like fences. It also needs a good balance of speed and power and should be able to turn smoothly.

Approach & Solution

To solve this, I built a small, stable robot using two motors and six gears to drive the wheels. The gears are set up to balance speed and power. After putting together the body and wheels, I added the control system and connected the wiring to ensure everything worked. The design focuses on being fast, strong, and easy to control.

Video

Our robot failed during a test run due to a loose gear, causing a weird turn at the first corner. The gear slipped, disrupting power transfer to the wheels. We fixed it by securing the gear and reinforcing its attachment, improving stability in future runs.

Vocabulary

The 4 Stages of Computational Thinking

1. Decomposition – Breaking a complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts.

   • Example: When building a sentry robot, you break the task into parts: designing the frame, assembling gears and motors, wiring the brain brick, and programming movement.

2. Pattern Recognition – Identifying similarities or patterns within a problem to make it easier to solve.

   • Example: If your robot keeps losing balance, you check past designs or similar robots to find common solutions, like adjusting the weight distribution.

3. Abstraction – Focusing only on important details and ignoring irrelevant information.

   • Example: When programming the robot, you focus on movement commands rather than unnecessary details like the color of the chassis.

4. Algorithm Design – Creating a step-by-step process to solve a problem efficiently.

   • Example: Writing a program that tells the robot to move forward, detect obstacles, stop, turn, and continue moving in a loop.

EVALUATE: Reflection

1) Have you enjoyed the challenge? What was a good moment from this challenge?

Yes, I enjoyed the challenge because it allowed me to apply engineering and coding skills. A good moment was when the robot successfully navigated the perimeter without hitting obstacles—it felt rewarding to see everything come together.

2) What were your challenges with coding your robot to navigate the perimeter or your controller?

One challenge was fine-tuning the code to make the robot turn precisely without overshooting or getting stuck. Adjusting the sensor values and motor speeds required multiple test runs.

3) Do you think the errors were due to the code, the precision of the robot, or another factor? What was it?

The errors were a mix of coding logic and hardware precision. Some issues came from incorrect sensor calibration, while others resulted from the wheels slipping slightly on certain surfaces.

4) Why did I propose this challenge? What is the main focus of our learning here?

This challenge was proposed to teach problem-solving, robotics engineering, and computational thinking. The main focus was on designing a functional, autonomous robot while balancing speed, stability, and navigation.

5) Why did I include the extension of the defence response in this challenge?

The defense response adds complexity to the challenge, forcing us to consider real-world applications such as security and automated threat detection.

6) How effective was your work with your partner? What did you do well? What did they do well?

Our teamwork was effective because we divided tasks based on strengths. I focused on coding and troubleshooting while my partner worked on hardware assembly and wiring. Communication and testing together helped improve our design.

7) Why do you think I asked you to think about medical robotics and supporting patients?

Medical robotics is a growing field with real-world impact. This helps us understand how autonomous robots can assist in surgeries, patient care, and rehabilitation.

8) Was adding a defence response a challenge or an easy addition? Why?

It was a challenge because it required extra coding for sensors and responses. The robot had to recognize potential threats and react quickly, which required precise sensor integration.

9) What real-world applications exist for autonomous robots working with people and delivering?

Self-driving delivery robots (e.g., food or package delivery).

Hospital robots that transport medicine and equipment.

Warehouse robots that organize and transport goods.

10) What are some issues that might arise from robotic security? How might you alleviate these issues knowing what you know now?

Issues include false detections, hacking risks, and system malfunctions. These can be addressed by improving sensor accuracy, adding encryption for security, and implementing backup safety protocols.

11) If you had many supplies, a CNC machine, and more high-tech equipment, what might you add to your robot?

I would add better sensors to improve obstacle detection, stronger motors for smoother movement, and a sturdier frame to make the robot more durable.