Design & Manufacturing (JAN)
Throughout this course students worked in teams of three to program, perform circuitry, mechanically design, and build a small robot capable of following a course and determining the best path to pick up and deliver a payload.
Using C++ I was able to create a program that implemented ultrasonic and optical sensors.
The ultrasonic sensors were calibrated through trial and error to detect objects within 1.5 feet and a 15 degree radius in order to determine if there is an obstacle ahead.
The three optical sensors determine if the robot is following the path. As the side sensors detect the path they can correct their heading.
There was also a lot of work done designing the best claw for picking up and setting down the payload. A variety of weights without tipping over the can was a part of the problem statement. This allowed for us to utilize buttons that tell the claw to open, close, pick up, and set down the payload.
Due to file sizes, later testing videos and report information will be available upon request.