Firetruck/linefollower schoolproject

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Hi everyone

I'm a bachelor-level student in electromechanics, with a specialization in automation. I'm in the second semester of the second year of my 3 year education. This semester, I have a group project. The basic idea is to make a reconnaissance robot for a fire situation. I'm looking for advice on this project and would like to find some code to recycle into my project.

Of course it's been dumbed down to a linefollower(using the exact same tiles as the Robocup junior,Robocup Junior - Rescue + Premiere Rescue - AUS - Perth 2008 - HD - YouTube). The difference with this one is, when the robot comes at a green square, it has to stop and interface with the user. Then the user will choose which way the robot has to go. Also, we can't use Mindstorms whatsoever. To make it a firetruck, the robot has to notify the user when it detects a tea light. And it also has to produce an audible sound, but it doesn't have to extinguish the fire. To interface with the user, we have to communicate via bluetooth to a base station, which converts the signals to TCP/IP. From there, it goes to the user, who is "outside of the danger zone".

What concerns my experience: I'm completely new to Arduino(as are the other group members). However, we all have had a basic course in Visual Basic and Assembler(with the 80C51 µcontroller). On top of that, I've also taken a basic Java course 2 years ago. One of our team members also has quite a bit of experience with labview and programming.

So far, we've ordered the Arduino UNO Rev3, Bluetooth Mate - Silver, Barrel jack adapter - Male and a breadboard(not an arduino specific board, just a plain bread board). We intend to use 2 DC motors(+gearbox) from a Nikko Landshark RC-car and to operate them with H-bridges. The car still runs fine, so I assume the motors are fine too.

So: does anyone have tips, useable code,... Is our hardware choice any good? Are there some specific tutorials on H-bridges, bluetooth,...?

Thanks in advance for your help! And please, NO trolling the noob. All of us started out a noob.

2

So: does anyone have tips, useable code,... Is our hardware choice any good? Are there some specific tutorials on H-bridges, bluetooth,...?

Instead of bluetooth, I'd go with a wireless router. Bluetooth has no chance of providing video from the bot, which would make control very difficult.

3

zoomkat:

So: does anyone have tips, useable code,... Is our hardware choice any good? Are there some specific tutorials on H-bridges, bluetooth,...?

Instead of bluetooth, I'd go with a wireless router. Bluetooth has no chance of providing video from the bot, which would make control very difficult.

That's where the prof's wit comes in, we HAVE TO use Bluetooth, because he doesn't want us to use a webcam... If we had a webcam, we wouldn't have to make sensors and make the car semi-autonomous... BTW: any tips on the linefollower part of the project? What's a good approach to that?

4

any tips on the linefollower part of the project?

google :slight_smile:

5

Also, I could really use some help with the Bluetooth to TCP/IP part... Anyone?

6

Firemann00b:
Also, I could really use some help with the Bluetooth to TCP/IP part... Anyone?

Since you are required to use bluetooth, your professor to whom you have paid $$$ to teach you this stuff, should be able to help you out. If the professor doesn't help, go to the university head and demand your $$$ back.