Hi
I do not want to speak now about problems, I want to point to three of my ALLBOT projects. Perhaps you are interested in.
The ALLBOT (VR612) Robot ist nice. But an ALLBOT with sensors is better. So I mounted some sensors to the ALLBOT. I used an ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04), an infrared sensor (Sharp GP2Y0A41SK0F), a photo transistor (SFH300) and a compass sensor (CMPS03).
To get the data from the sensors, you can use the 6 remaining analog ports of the Arduino Uno. Remember, that you can use them also as digital ports by addressing them with port number 14 to 19.
A0 -> 14
A1 -> 15
…
A5 -> 19
And remember, that the I2C interface uses the A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCL) port for communication. This is necessary to control the compass sensor.
To connect the sensors to the ports and to make +5 volts and GND available, I used the proto shield from Olimex. It comes with two led’s and two buttons, which can be used by the robot.
Then I developed three projects.
First, the ALLBOT uses an ultrasonic and an infrared sensor. It walks in chaotic directions and if it stands before an obstacle, it turns and walks again.
(watch a video: https://youtu.be/B52rpnmClZc)
Second, the ALLBOT searches the brightest light source of a room. For this task, it uses an infrared sensor, a photo transistor an a compass sensor. The ALLBOT turns 360° and logs the brightest light and its direction. After that, it turns to that direction and walks 10 steps. Then the next turn session begins. If the ALLBOT stands before an obstacle, the program stops.
(watch a video: https://youtu.be/6syziHmFZN4)
Third, the ALLBOT tracks a wall. For this task, the ALLBOT is controlled by an expert system. I used an infrared sensor for distance measurement and a compass sensor for navigation.
(watch a video: https://youtu.be/CUrWWzqyodw)
With sensors, an ALLBOT makes a lot of fun…
Regards
Thomas