Autonomous Robot

I designed an autonomous robot that used sensor data to navigate a course with various tasks and obstacles. My role focused on the hardware design: creating 3D-printed components and integrating them with stock parts such as motors, sensors, and wheels to enable functions like line following, object retrieval and delivery, IR signal detection, wall avoidance, and data transmission. I also developed and implemented the master control code on a PIC microcontroller in C, combining individual task codes from teammates into a unified program that allowed the robot to autonomously complete all tasks.

Through four design iterations, I improved the robot’s performance. Early versions tested specific tasks (e.g., line following, retrieval) but struggled with overall functionality. The final design supported sharp turns, servo-based object retrieval and delivery, laser pointing to coordinates, and variable speeds for different tasks without sacrificing maneuverability. My hardware design accounted for all required tasks and integrated seamlessly with the control code. Additionally, by combining teammates’ task-specific programs into a master code, I ensured smooth transitions between functionalities. 

 While no quantitative metrics were recorded, anecdotal evidence suggested the final design reduced the robot’s running time by about 50% compared to other competition entries, due to greater maneuverability and robustness.