Ping sensored bot

Will__S

Ok, this is my first post and this is my first project, so hi all!

I just got my boe bot 2 days ago, and it's my first experience with microcrontrollers and robotics. I also ordered the ping sensor and mounting bracket which included a standard rotation servo. I used a few bits of code from some of the samples included, and worked through creating my own scanning, and navigation routines. It's in it's final state with only the ping sensor. I'm thinking about adding some more sensors, and things to it soon though.

This robot actively scans as it moves trying to avoid obstacles. It does a pretty darn good job too!. Of course with only the ping sensor, it can't see low obstacles, and obstacles hanging just to the top of the head. It moves almost continuously, doing this was probably the hardest part.

Parts needed:
*Boe bot kit
*Ping sensor
*Ping sensor mounting kit
*Piezo speaker & 2 jumper wires

Try it out and let me know what you think! I would greatly appreciate any help on performance improvements, or any suggestions what so ever!

Thanks!!!

A.C. fishing

Maybe you should add some IRs to detect cliffs too

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Somebody said...
-Never Underestimate the power of human stupidity.

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Will__S

Yeah, I tried integrating some ir's before but I fried one of them(forgot to put the resistor in line, and it actually lit up red and smoked!) and may have damaged the other one as well, as they were both hooked up. But with either of them I could not get an accurate detection of an object in front of them. I would get a flicker only every once in a while (using the test program from the book that will show either a 1 or 0 with no object, and flip when an object is detected.) Maybe I'll pickup some more ir leds and try it again.

Also, I got bored and decided to add some more parts from my kit to the bot, and updated the program so the bot moves more seamlessly. It uses the 2 photoresistors to detect which side (left or right) is darker, and turns on one a red led on that side (sort of like a flashlight for the dark areas!). I also changed the scanning and movement routines a bit for better performance, the bot will turn slightly away when approaching an obstacle on either side. I'll try to repost the code later tonight.

Thanks for the suggestion!!!
Will

Post Edited (Will__S) : 7/10/2006 4:45:51 AM GMT