HOW TO MAKE A ROBOTIC TOY
CAR
BY KENEZE EYISI
DESIGN
BRIEF
n Brief for Robotic Toy Car
•
Design Brief: Building a Robotic Car
• 1. Introduction: Designing and building a robotic car involves integrating mechanical, electrical, and software components to create a vehicle capable of autonomous or remote-controlled
movement. This design brief outlines the steps and considerations involved in constructing a robotic car.
• :2. Objective: The objective of this project is to design and build a robotic car capable of performing specific tasks autonomously or under remote control. The car should demonstrate
fundamental principles of robotics, including motion control, sensor integration, and decision-making algorithms.
[Link] Steps :a. Research: Conduct research on existing robotic car designs, components, and technologies. b. Conceptualization: Develop a concept
for the robotic car, considering its intended purpose and functionalities. c. Component Selection: Choose appropriate components including motors, wheels, microcontrollers, sensors, and
power source based on the design concept and specifications. d. Mechanical Design: Design the chassis, wheels, and mechanical structure of the car ensuring stability, mobility, and
durability. e. Electrical Design: Create the electrical layout including wiring, connections, and integration of components such as motors, sensors, and microcontrollers. f. Software
Development: Develop software algorithms for controlling the car’s movement, processing sensor data, and making decisions. g. Integration: Assemble the mechanical, electrical, and
software components into the final robotic car prototype. h. Testing and Iteration: Test the prototype for functionality, performance, and reliability. Iterate on the design to improve any
shortcomings or inefficiencies. 5. Timeline:
• 4. Timeline
• Research and Conceptualization: 1 week
• Component Selection: 1 week
• Design and Development: 4 weeks
• Integration and Testing: 2 weeks
• Total: 8 weeks
• 5. Budget: Allocate a budget for purchasing components, tools, and materials required for building the robotic car. Consider factors such as component quality, quantity, and shipping
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6. Safety Considerations:
• Ensure proper insulation and protection to prevent electrical hazards.
• Implement fail-safe mechanisms to prevent unintended movement or collisions.
• Follow safety guidelines when testing the robotic car, especially in indoor or outdoor environments
• Purpose:
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
•
Design Specification for Building a Robotic Car
• 1. Objective: The objective of this design specification is to outline the requirements and specifications for constructing a robotic car capable of autonomous or remote-controlled operation.
• 2. Overall Design Goals:
• Develop a compact and lightweight robotic car suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
• Integrate sensors and actuators for obstacle detection, navigation, and motion control.
• Design a modular and expandable platform to facilitate customization and future upgrades.
• Ensure user-friendly operation through intuitive control interfaces and feedback mechanisms.
• 3. Physical Specifications:
• Size: The robotic car should have dimensions of approximately 30 cm x 20 cm x 15 cm (length x width x height) to ensure maneuverability and portability.
• Weight: Target weight should not exceed 1.5 kg to maintain agility and energy efficiency.
• Chassis: Construct a durable chassis using lightweight materials such as ABS plastic or aluminum alloy to provide structural integrity and protection for internal components.
• Wheels: Utilize high-traction wheels with diameter around 7-10 cm for smooth movement on various surfaces, including tile, carpet, grass, and gravel.
• 4. Electrical System:
• Power Source: Provide a reliable power source capable of sustaining continuous operation for at least 1 hour. Options include rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 2000 mAh
or higher.
• Motor System: Integrate two DC motors with encoders for precise control of speed and direction. Ensure compatibility with motor driver boards for PWM control.
• Sensors: Include a combination of sensors for environmental perception, such as:
• Infrared (IR) sensors for proximity detection and obstacle avoidance.
• Ultrasonic sensors for distance measurement and object detection.
• Line-following sensors for tracking paths or lines on the ground.
• IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) for motion sensing and orientation estimation.
• 5. Control and Communication:
• Microcontroller: Select a microcontroller board with sufficient processing power and I/O capabilities, such as Arduino Uno, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32. Ensure compatibility with sensor modules and motor drivers.
• Communication Interface: Implement wireless communication for remote control and data transmission. Options include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, or RF modules for interfacing with smartphones,
tablets, or computers.
• 6. Software and Programming:
• Programming Language: Use a suitable programming language for developing control algorithms and sensor integration. Common choices include C/C++, Python, or Arduino Sketch.
• Motion Control: Develop algorithms for motor control, velocity profiling, and PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) tuning for smooth and responsive motion.
• Sensor Fusion: Implement sensor fusion techniques to integrate data from multiple sensors for accurate perception and decision-making.
• Autonomous Navigation: Design algorithms for obstacle avoidance, path planning, and localization using techniques such as reactive control, potential fields, or SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and
Mapping).
• 7. Safety and Compliance:
• Overcurrent Protection: Incorporate overcurrent protection mechanisms to prevent damage to motors and electronic components in case of excessive load or short circuits.
• Heat Dissipation: Ensure proper heat dissipation through ventilation and thermal management to prevent overheating of electronic components.
• Compliance: Adhere to relevant safety standards and regulations for electronic devices and robotics, especially regarding electromagnetic interference (EMI) and battery safety.
• 8. Testing and Validation:
• Perform comprehensive testing of the robotic car's functionalities, including motion control, sensor accuracy, obstacle avoidance, and communication reliability.
• Conduct real-world testing in different environments and conditions to assess performance and identify potential improvements.
• Solicit feedback from users and stakeholders to validate design choices and prioritize future enhancements.
• 9. Documentation and Support:
• Provide detailed documentation including assembly instructions, wiring diagrams, component datasheets, and software code repositories.
• Offer technical support and online resources such as tutorials, forums, and troubleshooting guides to assist users in building, programming, and troubleshooting their robotic cars.
DESIGN IDEAS
•
Modular Design: Create a robotic car with a modular design, allowing users to easily swap out components such as sensors, motors, or control boards. This
promotes customization and facilitates upgrades or repairs.
1. Multi-Terrain Capability: Design a robotic car capable of traversing various terrains, including smooth surfaces, rough terrain, and obstacles like rocks or
sand. Utilize robust wheels with sufficient traction and suspension systems for enhanced stability.
2. Hybrid Power System: Incorporate a hybrid power system combining rechargeable batteries with solar panels or energy harvesting mechanisms. This
ensures prolonged operation and reduces dependency on external power sources.
3. Gesture Control: Implement gesture recognition technology to enable control of the robotic car through hand gestures or motions. This adds an intuitive and
interactive aspect to controlling the vehicle.
4. Swarm Robotics: Explore swarm robotics principles by designing multiple robotic cars capable of communication and coordination. These cars can work
together to accomplish tasks such as exploration, mapping, or formation control.
5. Obstacle Avoidance: Equip the robotic car with advanced obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities using sensors like ultrasonic, LiDAR, or computer
vision systems. Integrate algorithms for real-time decision-making to navigate complex environments safely.
6. Remote Operation: Design the robotic car for remote operation using wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Develop a user-friendly
interface for controlling the car from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
7. Autonomous Navigation: Implement autonomous navigation features using GPS, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and localization algorithms. Enable
the robotic car to navigate predefined routes, follow waypoints, or perform tasks autonomously.
8. AI Integration: Integrate artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as machine learning or neural networks for advanced functionalities like object
recognition, path planning, or adaptive behavior based on environmental inputs.
9. Interactive Feedback: Incorporate feedback mechanisms such as LED indicators, sound effects, or haptic feedback to provide users with real-time feedback
on the robotic car's status, sensor readings, or operational mode.
10. Educational Platform: Design the robotic car as an educational platform, providing resources such as tutorials, coding examples, and curriculum materials
for learning robotics, programming, and STEM concepts.
11. Customizable Appearance: Allow users to customize the appearance of the robotic car with interchangeable body panels, decals, or LED lighting effects.
Encourage creativity and personalization to appeal to a wide range of users.
