033 DON'T LET MICROPYTHON'S GARBAGE COLLECTOR RUIN YOUR PROGRAM

Like most high-level languages, there needs to be a feature to clean up the mess programmers leave.  In low level languages the program is required to clear up unused variables, pointers etc.  Micropython's device to automatically do this is called the Garbage Collector.  It works great, BUT, it takes time to execute and it can cause intermittent pauses in your program.  In this video, we cover this problem in detail with a very real and practical problem and solution.

Cheers!
Chris

032 Using a Hall Effect Sensor and a Magnet as Stop Sign to Control Your Robot

 How to use an inexpensive hall effect sensor and magnets to add another means of control to your robotic car.  Magnets, embedded in the floor were one the first means of guiding robotic vehicles in industrial applications.  In this video we explore using a hall effect sensor and a magnet as a stop sign.

Cheers!

Chris

We received the manufactured PCBs - were getting closer!

 During all the development you have been seeing the videos, the electronics have been refined a number of times requiring new PCBS.  Those prototypes are made here on the CNC router.  A few weeks back I felt comfortable enough to lock down the design and ordered them to be made by a mfg.  I tested one and it appears to be working great.  That is a major milestone on this crazy experiment!

Here is what the new boards look like...

Cheers!
Chris

031 Collision Avoidance System For Robots

How to add a basic level of Collision Avoidance to a robot using a PICO W and the GP2Y0E03 Time of Flight Sensor.  For the Zoomie, we will be utilizing a Time of Flight sensor to detect object in the path of the robot and to determine how far away the object is.  Eventually, this sensor will also be used to help with localization in certain situations. 

 

Cheers!
Chris

#GP2Y0E03 #TOF #Robot #PICOW #ObjectDetection

030 Implementing Line Following on a Robot with Proportional Control

Learn how to incorporate line following in a robot as we did with the Zoomie (Autonomous Robot). Gain an understanding of PID controls using just one component (proportional) and how to tune the control system effectively using a spreadsheet.  Using 2 TCRT5000 analog photo-reflective sensors, you can achieve accurate line following.

Cheers!
Chris

#TCRT5000, #robotics #pico #linefollower #linefollowing

029 How to Steer a Robot with Encoder Feedback

Learn how to use encoder feedback to steer a robot.  See how we make the Zoomie (autonomous robot) drive in a straight line.  In a future story we will also be using the same concept to make precise turns using the same concepts.

Cheers!
Chris

E028 Adding Acceleration to Velocity Control for robots

 How to incorporate acceleration & deceleration into velocity control for a robot.  This video will explain in great detail all about acceleration, the math needed, and how to implement it in a micropython program in a Raspberry Pi PICO.

Cheers

Chris