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

E27 Implementing AS5600 Encoders into the Zoomie (robot)

 How to add AS5600 encoders to a robotic car to get accurate odometry information.  Knowing how far a robot has traveled is a key feature to achieving robotic autonomy.  The AS5600 encoders are absolute encoders and utilize magnets for high-resolution feedback. These are also very easy to interface with the Raspberry Pi PICO.  This video will cover a lot of details about working with encoders, especially absolute encoders and the related pitfalls and maths.

Cheers,

Chris

026 Basic Motion Control for Zoomie (Autonomous Robot)

How to do basic motion control for robotic cars.  In this episode, we will go over how motion will be controlled giving the Zoomie the ability to move forward and reverse with variable speed control.  This will set the stage for much more complex motion control in the next series of videos.

Cheers!
Chris