Traxster II Object Avoidance Project

Introduction

We have worked extensively with the Robotics Connection Traxster II on many occasions. After having worked with it so many times we decided to give some basic ideas of what its like to work with the unit and perform a given task.

For this project we will be using the following items:

• Robotics Connection Traxster II Robot Platform
• Robotics Connection Serializer 3.0
• Sharp IR Sensors
• XBee Wireless Modules
• Radio Shack 9.6v Battery Pack

To be clear - we are not showing how to build this unit - but rather - concentrate on a given project.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate basic object avoidance using the Robotics Connection Traxster II Robot Platform.

Primary Objectives

We aim to keep the scope simple in order to meet each of the primary objectives states herein.

The following are the objectives we aim to meet in this project

• Move around in a given space
• Detect an object using IR sensors
• Continue to move around without touching objects

Experiments

In order to ensure we ahve succeessfully accomplished the primary objectives we plan on performing a series of experiements. These experiments will validate the project.

The following is a listing of experiments we will use to validate the primary objectives of the project

1. Move about without IR Sensor
The purpose of this experiment is to show that we can move the Robotics Connection Traxster II unit around a given space. There is no awareness of its environment in this experiment. Just dumb movement.

2. Move until object within range
The purpose of this experiment is to show that we can move the Robotics Connection Traxster II unit around until an object is encountered. Once an object is found it will stop moving.

3. Turn right when object found
The purpose of this experiment is to show that we can move the Robotics Connection Traxster II unit around until an object is encountered. Once an object is found it will turn away from that object. We will be turning the unit to the right when an object is encountered on the LEFT hand side.

4. Turn left when object found
The purpose of this experiment is to show that we can move the Robotics Connection Traxster II unit around until an object is encountered. Once an object is found it will turn away from that object. We will be turning the unit to the left when an object is encoutnered on the RIGHT hand side.

Results

Stay tuned...