Finish

17th Jan 2013 - Project presentation in class.

   

The presentation  

Duing the presentation we did a successful case (the robot wins) and a unsuccessful case (Mold wins). 

Until we have the time to make a proper video edit, here's the basic description of the videos.
The tower on the right, near to the robot is the Toaster.  On the lower left corner is the Mold.  On the middle is the butter. The Robot starts on (0, 0). The Mold is on (5, 5). Butter on (3,5). Toaster is on (1,1).


Unsuccessful case


Successfull case


Before each move, the robot asks for distances for Mold, Toaster and Butter, in that order. 
In case the Mold or Toaster aren't in the vicinity,  we pass ahead (press of the top pressure sensor (acting like a button). We enter distances using a white paper with a black bar painted on it. The robot will count how many times the black bar passes on the light sensor, starting on 0 (Passing the bar shows 0, 1, 2, ...).

The unsuccessful case differs from the successful by an obstacle on the "sprint" for the butter.

Final Thoughts

A robot was something none of us had ever done before. We built the robot from scratch from our minds, without use of pre-made plans. It wasn't the prettiest thing on earth, for sure. Not even the most performant. But it worked nonetheless.
This first encounter with programming for an unknown environment was also somewhat challenging. Using sensors, using deductive thinking and "teaching" it to the robot so he can do the same on his own, watching it functioning, seeing the creation sometimes surpass the creators was more than a normal assignment can do. It's a positive marking experience, absolutely!

Of course that if we had to do it again much would change. And knowing how the world is evolving to robotics and Artificial Intelligence, no doubt we'll be developing these "baby" skills in the future. Some experts say that somewhere in the year 2030 many things will be made with robots. So we're in a good moment to start working in this area. Surely there's a lot to do.




Mounting the robot
Image sequence


Code
robotoast.c
Compiled with RobotC version 3.54 (FW 9.55)