For the final group project in my Embedded Systems class this year, we were tasked with building a robot that could navigate through a simple arena.
Our robot, Raven (Robotic Arduino Vehicle with Enviable Nerves), had to start at one end of the arena and make it to the other end of the arena while another robot did the same. The arena had a black line running through the middle and some obstacles blocking our way. We used two IR light sensors, one proximity sensor, and two bump sensors to detect our environment. We used continuous rotation servos and an Arduino to tie it all together.
Here is a video demonstrating Raven’s logic.
Raven navigated the arena by following the line until her bump sensors were hit. Then Raven would use her proximity sensor to avoid the block and get back on the line. This would then be repeated until we got stuck or made it successfully out of the arena.
Raven operated quite well given the simplicity of her programming and came in second place in the final competition. We couldn’t be more proud of her.
Special thanks to Trudy and Patrick for the great partnership.