I'm building a obstacle avoiding robot using a R2D2 chassis, initially i had a problem with the speed of the motors but is fixed now, thanks to this arduino forum.
Now i face another problem, i use ultrasonic sensors to avoid the obstacles but the sensor only "see" the obstacle if is right in front, and if the robot runs parallel to a wall, or an object is on the side, eventually it bumps against it, so i'm thinking of changing the ultrasonic sensor by IR LED but also need that the IR sensor give an analog output to measure the distance because when the robot find an obstacle it looks right and left to determine where to go.
So i need some advice about what IR sensors i should use, can be one already made, or i can build one i have plenty of components, only need the schematic.
R2D2 chassis? Can you make his head turn?
I think it would be cool if you had his head sweep (moving the sensor) so that you could identify an object that was at the side, not just in front as it does now. Then you could enhance the obstacle avoidance you are using to keep from hitting walls at an angle.
Thanks for the link, this sharp distance sensors is what probably i'm going to use.
bms001:
Add additional sensors pointing to the sides?
I was thinking the same, because of that i thought replace the ultrasonic sensor by the IR,and use one in the front and 2 on the sides, and because the ultrasonic sensor is too big and have to do a bigger hole on the chassis
vinceherman:
R2D2 chassis? Can you make his head turn?
I think it would be cool if you had his head sweep (moving the sensor) so that you could identify an object that was at the side, not just in front as it does now. Then you could enhance the obstacle avoidance you are using to keep from hitting walls at an angle.
I'm planning to do just that, the head is not attached to the main chassis so i can made it to rotate using a servo and attach the distance sensor to the head, for now i'm using a car robot chassis to test everything then put on the R2D2 chassis
vinceherman:
Do you have a link to the R2D2 chassis?
Or pics? put a ruler in the pic for scale.
Well isnt really a chassis, but a cookie jar, that i think i can manage to transform in to a robot, also has plenty of space inside to put all the electronics, batteries, etc..
I did a similar project. I found the ultrasonic sensor unreliable so used two ir sensors at a forward facing angle. The robot would avoid either left or right if one sensor was triggered and make a sharp turn around if they were both triggered at the same time. I used a dome shaped rubbish bin, printed the stickers and vacuum formed the legs with motors. Not as professional looking as yours but bigger and could fit all of the components.
Anyway I found these really reliable and easy to use
Thanks for the link, i'm definitely going to replace the ultrasonic sensor, an put more Ir sensors i'm thinking maybe 3, 1 in the front, 1 on the left, 1 on the right
Just to give a feedback, i ordered a Sharp sensor model GP2Y0A41SK0F, cos is small and it will be almost unnoticed on the robot, just arrived yesterday, i tested and works great, has a little bit more angle of view but it still bumps into things if they are on the edge
I did a google search and found some projects that use only the ir emitter and receiver led and use the arduino along with some code to determine the distance, i guess i will try this on the secondary sensors, that i will mount on the legs, maybe 2 below near the wheels facing forward, and 2 facing sideways
If you have any suggestion please feel free to reply
