Monday, July 24

Lecture Topics:

• Introduction to mobile robotics (components, designs, types, our objective)
• Electronics basics (AC/DC, voltage, current, resistance, circuit diagrams)
• Discussion of robot to be built:
  • Layered Design:
    • First layer: motors, batteries, amplifiers
    • Second layer: distance sensors, microprocessor
    • Third layer: Currently unused (future expansion)
  • Separation of Power
    • High Power -- 12V for motors, amplifiers, ...
    • Low Power -- 5V for microprocessor and sensors
  • Justification for placement of parts (motors, sensors, etc)
  • Discussion of electrical noise
  • Discussion of robot requirements
  • Focus on microprocessor based robots
• Motor Overview
• Basic physics of DC motors
• Electrical interface
• Motor selection
• Gearing of motors

Lab Work:

• Form a support group; two students per group
• Preparation of Robot Chassis
• Mount brackets and motors (Step 1 to Step 11 of the Online Assembly Guide)

Notes:

• Kits will be handed out in lab
• Sensor brackets need to be rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal plane for use with GPD120 sensors. This differs from the on-line assembly guide!!