Lab 2 - A Forest Explorer: Build the 'Bot
Start with the robot you built for Lab 1 and do not modify it yet.
Install a HandyBoard or XBC on it and figure out how to download code to it.
Write, download, and test some simple routines that start and stop the motors and indicate (in any way you like) that the bump sensors are working.
Create a simple program that causes the robot to travel forward until it hits something. When it hits something, make the robot backup and turn away from the side that the hit occured on and then make it go forward until it hits something again.
Modify both the simple program and the robot to achieve the objective of this lab.
The team should discuss how best to use the team members' time and skills.
There are no special rules and restrictions regarding building your robot except that it must be built in a reliable, robust, and workmanlike way.
As part of grading this lab your robot will be picked up and inspected. During that process nothing may fall off it; it must be sufficiently well built that it suffers no damage during casual handling.
You make want to make brief reminder notes regarding any decisions you make and any problems you encounter so as to make writing your report easier.
Lab 2 - A Forest Explorer: Grading
Introduction
To complete this lab your robot must be graded by Mr. Chiafulio.
It will be subject to both inspection and test, as outlined below.
Inspection
Prior to each test of your robot, it will be picked up and inspected.Testing
Each test of the robot will comprise it being set loose in the forest for five minutes. For this period of five minutes the robot must be in more or less continuous motion (as defined below) and must not get stuck (again as defined below).Scoring
A test is defined as an attempt by the robot to wander around the forest for five minutes without getting stuck.
Submit your printed report to Mr. Chiafulio by 4pm on the due date.
Scanned sketches are acceptable; the use of a graphics drawing program is neither required nor encouraged for this assignment.
Your report must include all the following sections:
1. "Introduction" - standard format and content introduction.
2. "Procedure: Design" - briefly and succinctly summerize both the software and hardware design discussions and decisions that led to the creation of your robot.
3. "Procedure: Robot Construction" - briefly describe the structure of your robot. Comment on any construction or reliability problem encountered.
4. "Procedure: Explorer Program" - briefly explain the strategy adopted by your explorer program. Describe the algorithms employed.
5. "Discussion/Analysis" - Briefly review things that went well, things that did not go well, and things that you would do differently if there were a next time.
6. "Conclusion" - standard format and content conclusion.