S17: Sphero Droid
Contents
Grading Criteria
- How well is Software & Hardware Design described?
- How well can this report be used to reproduce this project?
- Code Quality
- Overall Report Quality:
- Software Block Diagrams
- Hardware Block Diagrams
- Schematic Quality
- Quality of technical challenges and solutions adopted.
Project Title
Sphero Droid
Abstract
Robots are revolutionizing almost every industry, primarily in the sectors where human safety is at risk. In hazardous working conditions such as in the mining industry, the lack of knowledge about the geographic nature and the environmental conditions of the mine hinder the rescue operations. Autonomous robots are being employed to improve the plight of mine workers and rescue operators. The robotic vehicle can explore the inaccessible and unworkable mines and disaster-affected areas and send valuable information to the teams to assist in search and rescue operations. But traditional robots could be rendered useless if they are overturned or in terrains having staircases and ledges. Also, there is a possibility of failure of the electrical and mechanical components exposed to the harsh environmental conditions. An autonomous spherical robot is a better option since its shape offers better robustness and rigidity. The spherical robot will enclose all the components within it and will not have any wheels or legs on its exterior. This feature enables it to operate in any hazardous conditions since there will be very less chance for the components to get damaged by the surrounding environment. The spherical design allows it to easily maneuver in different types of terrain, be it stairs or corners, and have no risk of being overturned. These advantages enable the robot for many applications such as exploration and mapping of access routes, surveillance and rescue operations in uncomfortable working conditions.
Objectives & Introduction
The objective of this project is to design an autonomous spherical robot with sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS) module, Bluetooth module and other control units interfaced to the microcontroller, which navigates its way to the destination avoiding obstacles. The temperature and the route followed by the robot can be logged on the SD card. These features enable the robot for many applications such as exploration and mapping of access routes, surveillance and rescue operations in uncomfortable working conditions.
Team Members & Responsibilities
- Harshitha Bura
- Configured the GPS module, interfaced it with LPC1758 using UART
- Log the GPS location in a file on the SD card
- Naveen Kumar Bhuthakatanahalli Ramalingaiah
- Design and create hardware connections between and external parts
- Configured and implemented the Bluetooth module on the robot, interfaced it with LPC1758 using UART
- Created an Android application through which the robot can be remotely controlled and data from the robot can be read (GPS data, sensor values etc.) and plotted on the maps.
- Shivam Chauhan
- Design and create hardware connections between and external parts
- Configured and interfaced the ultrasonic sensors with LPC1758 using PWM
- Sushma Nagaraj
- Interfaced the servo motor with the microcontroller using PWM
- Integrated the various modules used on the robot
- Virginia Menezes
- Interfaced the DC motor with the microcontroller using GPIO
- Integrated the various modules (motors and sensors)
Schedule
| Week# | Start Date | End Date | Task | Status | Actual Completion Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3/21 | 3/27 |
|
Done | 3/29 | |
| 2 | 3/28 | 4/3 |
|
Done | 4/9 | |
| 3 | 4/9 | 4/18 |
|
Done | 4/21 | |
| 4 | 4/18 | 4/25 |
|
Done | 4/28 | |
| 5 | 4/25 | 5/2 |
|
Done | 5/7 | |
| 6 | 5/2 | 5/9 |
|
In Progress | ||
| 7 | 5/9 | 5/20 |
|
Plan | ||
| 8 | 5/16 | 5/23 |
|
Plan |
Parts List & Cost
| Qty | Description | Manufacturer | Part Number | Cost | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SJ One Board [1] | Preet | SJ-one | $80 | http://www.socialledge.com/sjsu/index.php?title=SJ_One_Board |
| 2 | DC Motor | RobotShop | Pololu 4.5V, 80rpm Right Angle Plastic Gear Motor | $4.95 | http://www.robotshop.com/en/pololu-80rpm-right-angle-plastic-gear-motor.html |
| 1 | Servo Motor | Fry's electronics | Metal Gear Digital Servo Part No. LS-0009AF | $19.99 | http://www.frys.com/product/7027281 |
| 1 | Motor Driver | Fry's electronics | Motor Driver | $9.99 | http://www.frys.com/product/8353697 |
| 1 | GPS Logger | Spark fun Electronics | Venus638FLPx | $59.95 | https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10920 |
| 1 | Bluetooth Module | Amazon.com | HC-05 Bluetooth | $8.49 | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G9KSAF6?psc=1 |
| 3 | Ultrasonic sensor | Amazon.com | LV Maxsonar -EZ MB1010 | $74.85 | https://www.amazon.com/Maxbotix-MB1010-LV-MaxSonar-EZ1-Range-Finder/dp/B00A7YGVJI |
| 1 | Antenna GPS Embedded SMA | Spark fun Electronics | VTorch Datasheet | $11.95 | https://www.sparkfun.com/products/177 |
| 1 | PCB components | Amazon.com | (7805, 2 pin SPDT switch, 4004 diode, LD1117, Female pin header, male pin header, USB type B female jack, DC power jack, power supply module) | $72.00 | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LRXIJRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
| 2 | Wheels | Amazon.com | 70 x 8mm Black Robot Wheels | $12.00 | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T3MQDHU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
| 2 | Bearing | Amazon.com | 2 Pcs 22mm Outside Dia Plastic Coated Ball | $7.93 | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HR5SJKE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
| 1 | Hollow spherical ball | Amazon.com | Giant Chinchilla Run-About 11-1/2-Inch Exercise Ball | $15.76 | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006IK0LA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
Design & Implementation
The design section can go over your hardware and software design. Organize this section using sub-sections that go over your design and implementation.
Hardware Design
Discuss your hardware design here. Show detailed schematics, and the interface here.
Hardware Interface
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Software Design
Show your software design. For example, if you are designing an MP3 Player, show the tasks that you are using, and what they are doing at a high level. Do not show the details of the code. For example, do not show exact code, but you may show psuedocode and fragments of code. Keep in mind that you are showing DESIGN of your software, not the inner workings of it.
Implementation
This section includes implementation, but again, not the details, just the high level. For example, you can list the steps it takes to communicate over a sensor, or the steps needed to write a page of memory onto SPI Flash. You can include sub-sections for each of your component implementation.
Testing & Technical Challenges
Describe the challenges of your project. What advise would you give yourself or someone else if your project can be started from scratch again? Make a smooth transition to testing section and described what it took to test your project.
Include sub-sections that list out a problem and solution, such as:
My Issue #1
Discuss the issue and resolution.
Conclusion
Conclude your project here. You can recap your testing and problems. You should address the "so what" part here to indicate what you ultimately learnt from this project. How has this project increased your knowledge?
Project Video
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Project Source Code
References
Acknowledgement
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References Used
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Appendix
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