Mechatronics Learning Studio
Objective
The objective of the project was to use selected
electronic components along with the knowledge of what was
learned in ELG3336: Electronics for Mechanical Engineers, to
design a robot which will be remotely controlled. The robot will
be controlled by wireless commands sent from a computer.
Material Used
|
Qty |
Item |
Source |
|
1 |
Plastic Container |
Dollarama |
|
- |
Elastic Bands |
Dollarama |
|
4 |
Omni Wheels |
Robot Shop |
|
4 |
HS-311 Servo Motors |
Robot Shop |
|
1 |
Arduino Duemilanove Microcontroller
Board |
Robot Shop |
|
2 |
Xbee Transceivers |
Robot Shop |
|
1 |
Xbee Shield |
Robot Shop |
|
1 |
Xbee USB Connector |
Robot Shop |
|
1 |
Cirocom GPS |
Robot Shop |
|
1 |
Computer |
N/A |
|
1 |
USB Cable A to B |
Computer Store |
|
1 |
MicroUSB Cable |
Computer Store |
|
1 |
9V Snap Connector |
RadioShack |
|
2 |
Battery Packs |
RadioShack |
|
1 |
Breadboard |
RadioShack |
|
8 |
AA Batteries |
Any Electronics store |
|
1 |
9V Battery |
Any Electronics store |
|
- |
Single Core Wires |
Any Electronics store |
|
- |
Nuts and Screws |
Hardware Store |
|
- |
Cardboard |
Boxes |
Tools Used
|
·
Permanent Marker
·
Ruler
·
Grid paper
·
Scalpel
·
1 Phillips Screw
Driver |
·
1 thin flat head
Screw Driver
·
Pliers
·
Spare paper
·
Hot glue gun and
hot glue sticks
|
Block
Diagram
Applications
The following is a list of some applications that
the robot can be used for
·
Robot garbage collector
·
Security
·
Dangerous waste disposal
·
Robotic maid
·
Unmanned military vehicles
·
Remote assistance in
isolated areas
Conclusion
There were some
problems that we encountered when building and testing the bot.
The main problem that was encountered while building the robot
was that the plastic container holes had to be precise as to not
accidentally make the container buckle or cause the servomotors
and wheels to slant on an angle. There was also no room for
error as we could not add back to the container’s plastic if we
accidentally cut the hole in the wrong place. This was solved by
carefully planning out and brainstorming ideas and methods of
solving the problem. After choosing solutions, they were
followed carefully and y was successful.
Our main problem
we encountered while testing was with the potentiometers on the
servos. The circuitry of the robot was in a compact space and
that the support structure was flimsy. This made it easy for the
exposed potentiometers to be hit and cause the wheels to start
creeping. We frequently encountered this and we had to be very
careful when transporting the robot and the speed at which the
robot changes directions.
When using the
GPS, we encountered some interference when working in some
places. It produced longitude and latitude values which were a
couple kilometres away from where the robot actually was. This
could have been due to the weather or the materials within the
building where the testing occurred. Other problems that we
faced were wires becoming loose and batteries not supplying
enough current to either the servomotors or Arduino during
wireless control.
We were able to complete the main functions of
the robot, which was to have it move in planar directions using
a computer to wirelessly control it. We were also able to
include a functioning GPS waypoint finder to it. We were not
able to add distance sensors such as sonar or infrared sensors
due to them not being in stock. For the future, we would like to
include these sensors to allow the robot to avoid objects if
proceeding to a waypoint and not crash or fall. We also would
like to use a single unified battery pack instead of using 8 AA
batteries for the servos and 9V battery for the Arduino. We
would also like to change the chassis structure and shape to
overcome our potentiometer problems.
