Projects 1: Project Kickoff Meeting

Project: Design an Interface between a Robot and a LTU Laptop

Group members:

Colin BlackSteve Holcomb

Objective

• Design and implement an interface between a robot and a LTU laptop

Target Goals:

• Robot should be able to traverse forwards and backwards with the capability to turn

• Robot should be able to travel at two to three speeds

• Interface should be easily available for use in third-party programs– i.e. writing maze-traversal programs

Design Sub-Systems

LaptopInterface

SensorSystem

SteeringSystem

DriveSystem

PowerSystem

Power Sub-System

• Capable of powering interface and robot– Laptop runs on batteries

• Power sources under consideration:– Batteries

• Heavy• Limited functional time

– 110V connection to maze exterior• Limits size of maze• Requires addition of transformer on robot

Drive Sub-System

• A single drive wheel located at the rear of

the robot

• Variable speed bi-directional motor

• Controlled through interface board

• Tachometer connected to drive wheel for

distance/speed reporting to interface

Steering Sub-System

• Based on standard Rack and Pinion design

• Single servo/motor to control steering angle

• Angle controlled through interface board

Sensor systems

• Initial sensor type: touch

• Sensor contact causes immediate event/interrupt; drive halted

• Expansion of system possible to include other sensor types

Laptop Interface

• Use of Handyboard to relay commands to drive/steering sub-systems and contact data from sensor sub-system

• Laptop interfaces to Handyboard through Parallel/Serial port

• Interface to third-party programs through binary API or compile-time headers– Knowledge of Windows 2k/XP Device Drivers

required

Timeline

• Parts ordered by 11/30• Drive system/chassis built 02/01• Steering system built 02/15• Sensor/Interface built 03/01• Device Drivers/Headers written 03/08• Final testing 03/29• (Competition date - RoboFest)04/27