OTTO robot. Can I make it work that it runs through a maze

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

Im building this robot ( https://www.ottodiy.com/ )
As far as I know it has one Ultrasonic sensor that points to the front as eyes.

So I wonder can I make it work that it can walk through a maze by itself ?
Or do I need some more Ultrasonic sensors to make this work ?

2

With just a single sensor it's quite hard, and depends on the expectations/target and the implemented algorythm.

Just to say, it can merely go ahead and as soon as it encounters a wall, could try turning either right or left or turning back if both directions are blocked.
Not easy, and not particularly efficient, but it could do the job. And even the ultrasonic might be superfluous, an IR obstacle sensor might be enough to do the same.

Three could be a good leap forward, but I don't know. And I can't see how you culd add to that small two-legged robot. sorry.

3

That is what I also thought.

Walk straight.
When you see a wall, Turn right and look again , if blocked then turn two times left, If that is also blocked, Turn right and walk backwards.

I only do not see how to make it work so It can see a hole at the right or left side.
And how to take care it is not running around in circles.

4

What is the maze made of? Does it reflect sound? What is the cone of response for your ultrasonic sensor? Can you determine anything about the maze by the echo? Are all the angles of your maze 90 degrees? How does your sensor respond to an echo from walls with other angles? Have you actually tested your robot with your maze?

5

I did not test anything.

I was just thinking about a nice challenge to make with this robot.

The maze will be made of wood or cardboard and will in the beginning have angles of 90 degrees.

Maybe later I will look if I can make it work with more rounded corners.

6

I don't know that robot and its capabilities or atomic functions, but assuming it can walk forward (one step at the time), rotate left or right for a specific angle (hope so), and read from the ultrasonic sensor the distance of the nearest obstacle (in cm?), the algorythm is something like this (in pseudocode):

1) one step forward
2) read the sensor
3) if distance < 2 cm (or whatever)
  3.1) rotate right 90°
  3.2) read the sensor
  3.2) if distance > 2 cm go to step 1
  3.3) 2x rotate left 90°
  3.4) if distance > 2 cm go to step 1
  3.5) rotate left 90° (go back!) and go to step 1
4) go to step 1

In this case you need to learn that robot basics and functions first (I don't know if you have programming experiences and studied that OTTO DIY robot capabilities and structure), and try to write a code implementing this algorythm.
Sorry I can't help you much more than that.

7

Why not?

8

because the robot is at work and im at home recovering from a open heart surgery

9

Thanks

You helped a lot.

10

I suspect that the biggest problem will be ensuring that the robot moves in a straight line and that it turns exactly 90 degrees when encountering a wall

11

Excuses! : ) (that's a smiley face) - Hey... recovering makes logical thinking and controlled motor movement difficult (being distracted by discomfort). Rest. Listen to your body, the doc/nurse. Try again.

I made an "otto simulation" from one of their sketches to "test all devices" that you can play with (free online account at wokwil.com) when you feel creative. Try adding an HC-SR04, make it walk, make it react to a closing distant wall, make it turn, make it walk backwards. You can see the function calls that make it; bend, shake, jump, tiptoe, et cetera. Have fun! Get well!

12

Thanks

The surgery was in December but still im not 100%.
At this point my heart rate and blood pressure is too low.
So the drugs needs to be adapted.