Mobot 2009
@ April 5, 2009
line following
Cost to build:
$70
Time to build:
20 hours
URL to more information:
- Actuators / output devices: 4x GM8
- Control method: autonomous
- CPU: Arduino Diecimilla
- Power source: 4 AA batteries
- Programming language: C
- Sensors / input devices: IR emitter/detector
- Target environment: outdoor, sidewalk
This is my entry for Carnegie Mellon's Annual Mobot Race. The object of the race is to follow a line.
This robot has yet to be named as as tested didn't work quite as well as I had hoped. The front of the robot has a 4 bar linkage which would allow the sensor to ride along the ground. All it does however is get caught and drag when the robot tries to turn.
It is also very slow. I'm working on remounting the sensor and speeding up the mobot. As you can see in the video, it's very slow. I'm currently running the motors at 5 volts (regulated) and I'm swapping them over to direct battery power (6V).
The competition is in less than 2 weeks so I'll be updating the robot to get it prepared for the competition.
@ Mon, 2009-04-06 04:26
looks great, but for a race
@ Mon, 2009-04-06 04:54
The course is not totally
The course is not totally flat. There are 2 hills. One of which is very steep. The second hill (the steeper of the two) is usually what does in most competitors that make it that far. The robots end up going too fast and losing track of the line.
As for speed. I've made some changes to the electronics (running off of 6v instead of 5v) and the program (better line following algorithm) and it's increased the speed some.
As for CMU I enjoy it. It can be a lot of work at times, but the Robotics club is awesome. It's a great place to learn and work on robots.
@ Mon, 2009-04-06 05:08
that sounds awesome, good