Daily Log

November 7th

this is with the old handy board, but the build is still similar

First Build

  • Assigned jobs to group members
  • Identified tasks, environment, signals, and agents that comprise the challenge
  • Drafted outline for movement algorithm

November 14th

so the wires won't be tangled

Wire Management

  • Built robot
  • Continued simple algorithm
  • Connected robot to computer

November 16th

Algorithm Prototypes

  • Had issues with the board, switching to Arduino board
  • Tested our logic against several computer generated Wumpus Worlds
  • Nearly finished programming method

November 21st

Motor Driver Circuit Prototype

  • Decided to use Arduino Uno instead of Handy Board microcontroller. An H-Bridge (TI SN754410), 2 voltage regulators, and an IR sensor were identified to be used instead of the Handy Board’s built-in capabilities.
  • Modified robot to hold new components.
  • Practiced interfacing with the Arduino (including uploading example programs aka “sketches”).
  • Discussed a prototype program that was written since the last meeting

November 28th

Order Invoice

  • Parts were ordered from DigiKey on 11/22 so that an Arduino could be used in lieu of the Handy Board. The parts arrived on 11/25 and were picked up the next business day to be distributed to the 2 other groups using Arduinos.
  • The schematic of the voltage regulator, h-bridge, motors, and Arduino was assembled on a breadboard using the newly ordered parts. The system could not be tested in its entirety because 2 capacitors were missing.
  • The robot is hooked up to the arduino. This shows the pins disconnected to face the camera. We are missing some capacitors, but other than that we are basically all set.

December 2nd

revision 3.0 of the h-bridge circuit for the Arduino

  • Discussed the Write Up portion of the project
  • Worked on publishing several pages onto the website
  • Wrote several programs
  • Attached the Arduino and ran some simple programs through our robot
  • Connected the remote control

December 5th

  • Put final touches on movement algorithm
  • Managed to move Ultron acccross the board without major issues
  • Unfortunately, could not hook up light sensors
  • Continued working on logic algorithm

December 8th