Overview:
The goal for this project was to develop a small robot that will equip colour sensors to then follow a “Track”. Beginning with developing our own microcontroller board, motor drivers and sensor bards in KiCad we were able to get the PCBs manufactured. During manufacture, the robots design was developed in SolidWorks and printed on a 3d printer. The PCBs were then populated with components and final assembly was taken place.
Challenges:
- Microcontroller selection: For the project there were 2 given microcontroller options to build our circuitry around. The ATmega4808 was selected for a few reasons: not external crystal oscillator needed, and its internal clock speed was faster than the other option. Another deciding factor was that the 4808 was offered to us in SMD, meaning we could make the PCBs smaller.
- Line detection reliability: Out sensor boards were capable of outputting both analogue and digital signals. Using a combination of the two signal types, an effective line detection algorithm able to be developed.