Robot Art Show
Introduction
The purpose of this project was to use a coding program to create a Robotic Art show. We used the ARDUINO program on the Sparkfun kit to create our art show. We were required to write our on code in the program to power the circuit we created on the board. Before we began our own code, we completed numerous projects given to us in the Sparkfun kit, to assist us in understanding the basics of code and programming. For my group we programmed the song Let It Go from the movie Frozen to play with a coressponding light sequence. A video of our working project is attched at right.
IMG_2547.movVocabulary
Voltage: A Potential energy difference across a component. Voltage is measured in Volts
Current: Flow of charge for electricity through the circuit. Current is measured in Amperes or amps for short
Resistance: Amount of current is slowed or resisted due to an obstacle or component. Resistance is measured in Ω (Ohm's)
Power: The rate at which electrical energy is transferred. Power is measured in Watts.
Electricity: a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current
Circuit: A complete loop of conductive material from one side of a power source (+) to the other (-)
Parallel- Circuit where components are on multiple paths with the current able to split into the different pathways. The voltage stays the same as the original.
Series- Circuit where multiple components are one after another on the same path of the circle. Current stays the same throughout the whole circuit and voltage splits and adds to the total
Breadboard: A breadboard is a solderless device for temporary prototype with electronics and test circuit designs. Most electronic components in electronic circuits can be interconnected by inserting their leads or terminals into the holes and then making connections through wires where appropriate.
Ohm's Law: V=ir(voltage=current x resistance)
Below on the left is code, while we were in progress on writing it, used to program our song and lights. On the right is our notes we took during the projects we had to complete before begginning to create our own.
Here is our circuit diagram of how are Arduino board was set up for the Robot Art Show project. The circuit was set up using a Redboard similar to the one in the image below.
Reflection
Overall, I really enjoyed this project. I was very different from the other ones we have completed over this year's course. It was more challenging and required a lot more outside of the box thinking and problem solving. We encountered several problems along the way, including our computer not working or the code not uploading. This is where I feel I did well. When we were dealing with these problems I made sure our group didn't give up and we worked around it. Even if I got frustrated I continued to work effiencently to create a working final product. Another way I feel I did well during this project was in the collaboration aspect. Since it was only working with a partner, the work was split pretty evenly, so there wasn't an issue on that front. However, when my partner and I did have clashing ideas, I was able to step back and compromise, which is an improvement from previous groups and project.
Although everything went pretty smoothly during this project, there were some low, as there are with everything. One aspect I believe I could have improved on is time management. Normally I am pretty good at this, and I continued to be into this project, however there were some times when I could have done a better job. For example, when my partner and I experienced technical difficulties, we might have improved by working on something else since the computer wasn't working. Another aspect that I could have improved on was the interpretation of the assignement. Even though I am happy that our Art Show worked, now that I understand the coding and process, we might have been able to improve and create a more intricate piece.