Lab Rat

Collision Avoidance

The robot is packed with four ultrasonic sensors that continuously monitor the distance to the adjacent walls. Lab rat aggregates multiple loops of data to be more confident that the obstacle will cause problems. It makes slight adjustments to steer between the walls just like how an autonomous vehicle steers between lanes on the road. If the robot gets too close to an obstacle, it stops and reconsiders its options (e.g. turning around)

Location Awareness

The robot uses the checkered tiles to designate when it needs to make a critical decision. Each tile is much like a cross roads for autonomous vehicle. As such, the robot briefly stops and checks which ways it can move. It then makes a decision to move and executes the decision.

Mobility

Motion is heavily calibrated so that the robot can adequately make the necessary turns. It continuously uses collision avoidance whenever it moves.