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High School Project: Autonomous Follow Car — Parallax Forums

High School Project: Autonomous Follow Car

ScopeScope Posts: 417
edited 2009-12-18 22:20 in Robotics
Hello Everyone,

I sponsor a high school technology club - a first for me

In January, I am going to launch a 2 phase project for my students:

Phase I --> Students will be building r/c cars and learning how to drift them while studying the physics, math, electrical, radio, mechanical and other aspects of these activities

Phase II --> Using an r/c car platform, I want my students to build and create a fully autonomous follow car

I got the idea from looking at links on this forum - I think it's a cool idea but frankly, I'm going to need some help because I'm not even proficient with robots but I really believe this experience will be of great value to my students.

So, this thread is intended to be somewhat of a journal and also a place were I can obtain help with this endeavor.

Our financial resources are rather limited (whose aren't these days) but our enthusiasm is very high. I will be searching for those in my community who may want to contribute financial or other resources to this project.

Although frankly, I'm somewhat apprehensive, I'm also very excited and really want this to be a successful project. It doesn't matter to me that I'm not an expert - actually, that might be very beneficial to their learning experience - we'll see as I continue to learn more about my Boe-Bot.

Thanks,

Scope

smurf.gif <-- 3 apples tall

Comments

  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-12-14 23:49
    Don't be like me, thats all I have to say. Good luck!

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    PG
  • InstinctzInstinctz Posts: 18
    edited 2009-12-15 00:34
    Maybe if you order a bulk amount of parallax products, they'll throw in some prizes for the students! turn.gif
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2009-12-16 01:06
    For the rolling platform, I purchased one of these tonight - picked it up "dang-near new" for $120 (they're fairly big machines - I could put a laptop on it fairly easy):

    TXEV-103-8+Traxxas+E-Maxx+inside.jpg

    Post Edited (Scope) : 12/18/2009 10:25:20 PM GMT
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-12-18 15:07
    Something like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2oDPLTQpbQ?

    Leon

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    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
  • noobmunchernoobmuncher Posts: 124
    edited 2009-12-18 17:40
    Personally I would just use IR sensors. Have one act as a moving beacon and the other find it, fairly simple.
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2009-12-18 22:20
    Leon said...
    Something like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2oDPLTQpbQ?

    Leon

    Yes! Awesome - thanks for sharing that. Hopefully, we can figure out a working solution that's faster.

    noobmuncher said...
    Personally I would just use IR sensors. Have one act as a moving beacon and the other find it, fairly simple.
    Ok, sounds like a great idea - thanks.

    I think the E-Maxx will be "over kill" for size - I have several smaller r/c solutions that should also work just fine.

    Ultimately - and after looking at the video of the crazy-fast maze mouse (?), I'd really like to have a follow car that would follow at "high speed" of around an actual 25 mph, or so. I just don't know if our resources will allow for this to happen.

    Thanks again,

    Scope
    [noparse]:)[/noparse]
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