Introduction to Robotics (MEC-140) Spring 2019
Professor Peggy Walton: [email protected]
Learn the basic principles of robotics, such as mechanical construction, electronics, sensors, motors and robot programming. This course uses a hands-on approach to introduce the basic concepts, focusing on the construction and programming of autonomous mobile and Industrial robots. Works in groups to build and test increasingly more complex robots, culminating in an end-of-semester robot project.
Professor Peggy Walton: [email protected]
Learn the basic principles of robotics, such as mechanical construction, electronics, sensors, motors and robot programming. This course uses a hands-on approach to introduce the basic concepts, focusing on the construction and programming of autonomous mobile and Industrial robots. Works in groups to build and test increasingly more complex robots, culminating in an end-of-semester robot project.
Class Assignments
For the first part of the semester, we worked through different sets of Arduino Labs that our professor assigned us. Each Assignment had multiple tasks/objectives and students were to build circuits and programs according to the assignments.
See my youtube playlist for all my lab videos.
See my youtube playlist for all my lab videos.
Class Projects
After the first half of the semester was over and everyone was comfortable with using Arduinos, students were assigned 3 different projects that required making robots to complete certain tasks. The brain of the robot is a custom Arduino Mega 2560 that has a custom shield on it that allows VEX Robotics sensors and buttons to connect to the Arduino easier without the need of a breadboard. Also it has an LCD screen so you are able to display anything on it. Then the whole robot you build runs off a 7.2V 3000mAh VEX battery.
We had to make videos for each project and document the code in a written report. |
Project 1: Squarebot/MazebotFor the Mazebot, the robot is supposed to navigate through a course. There are two different objectives:
Objective 1: In the first objective we are required to have the Squarebot go through a predetermined course by using timers on the motors. Objective 2: In the second objective, we are required to modify the Squarebot slightly by adding a bumper switch to the front of it so the Squarebot can move autonomously. This means the Squarebot will be able to go through any maze with simple turns. See my code here. |
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Project 2: Line Tracker
For the Line Tracker, all it does is follow a line on a predetermined course and that's it.
Objective 1: In the first objective we are required to have the Line tracker go through a course and continue doing so until I decide to grab it and turn it off. Objective 2: In the second objective, the Line Tracker must only go through the course once. The way it knows to only go through once is to have it count each of the big black lines that show up. Once the count reaches 4, the Line Tracker stops. See my code here. |
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Final Project: Recycler Robot- T4NK
The final project uses features from both of the previous robots and then adding a bunch more features on top of that. The objective of the Recycling Robot is to go through a course, pick up 4 cans (white and black), and sort those cans. After the robot picks up the 4th can, it should go to the next hash mark on the course and then stop. I decided to name my robot T4NK, since I wanted to build basically a tank and that’s what I got. T4NK uses multiple functions to keep the main program organized and a bit easier to manage.
See my code here.
See my code here.