Introduction
The Mini Robot Project report is finalized at Fire Fighting Robot upon completing a dancing robot and adding sensors. This project is part of the Electrical Engineering course (ENGR 310), where the students had to design and build a firefighting robot. This project aims to apply the principles of robotics and automation to create a working robot that can help in firefighting. The team has been working hard to design, assemble, and test the robots based on the three assignments: a dancing robot, a moving in the maze robot, and a firefighting robot. However, the students experienced various challenges as a team, which led to a withdrawal of one of the team members after the first two reports, following a communication breakdown.
Design Problem and Objectives
The design challenge for this project was to create a firefighting robot upon completion of two other projects, comprising a dance robot and moving in the maze robots, that could facilitate fire extinguishing, especially during emergencies. The project team uses electrical engineering principles to design the robot’s electronic components and coding skills to program its movements to build visually appealing robots that can save lives and property. Another objective sought from this project involves making a robot that can be controlled with minimal technical knowledge and allows anyone to use it. These goals were achieved by combining various design, construction, and programming elements to create an interactive robot.
Robot Design and Assembly
This slide presents the design and assembly of the robots and the role of various elements. This group’s robots were developed using an Arduino microcontroller, with 3D-printed bodies and parts. Four servo motors were used to power the dance and move the maze robots and ultrasonic sensors to detect and avoid obstacles, especially for the last firefighting robot the students developed. A Bluetooth module for remote control of the robot was also integrated. The robots were battery-operated, making them resilient. The design and assembly of these robots is critical to ensure they can smoothly perform the required dance moves.
Testing and Troubleshooting
Testing and troubleshooting are essential steps to ensure robot functionality. Therefore, the project commenced with simple tests, such as checking the power supply, and then moved on to more complex tests, such as checking sensors and actuators for accuracy. Some challenges the students encountered during testing were calibration issues, mechanical errors, and unexpected interactions between various components.
To solve this problem, a combination of techniques such as adjusting parameters, replacing broken components, and debugging code was considered. The group’s iterative approach promoted systematic identification and problem fixing, resulting in a robust and reliable robot. This process was valuable for debugging and troubleshooting experience that will be useful in future projects. Aaron and Carol extensively handled this process.
The communication problems also challenged our progress as a team. One member withdrew during this phase because of a communication breakdown. However, the students managed the situation and noted the need for teamwork in any project management phase.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the robots were designed and assembled successfully. This project has been valuable for experience in teamwork and project management, as well as in the field of electrical engineering. Finally, this project is proof of the importance of good teamwork and what it can achieve. The students can now apply the knowledge and skills they have gained from this project to their future endeavors.
References
D2L course resources. Web.
Arduino Help. Web.