Photobot : An Exploring Robot

Abstract: Sometimes when terrain is inaccessible to humans we use robots to help us explore it. In this project a self navigating robot was created that used ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles in its path and avoided them. When an obstacle is encountered the robot documents said obstacle by taking photographs of it as well as registered its coordinates and created a map, as a bonus feature. Thereafter the robot continued its path based on where obstacles were absent. By using stepper motors to drive the robots traveled distance was calculated. With this information a map over the traveled path was created. Tests were conducted where the map was compared to real life as well as letting the robot roam freely. The tests showed the robots ability to evade obstacles and how well the integrated camera function performed. The placement of the sensors worked well enough considering only five were used. Although the robot would improve significantly if an increased amount of sensors were to be added. The algorithm enabled the robot to navigate and avoid all detected obstacles. It is the sensors that inhibited its navigation since they only detected obstacles directly in front of them. Since this was a mobile robot it was powered by batteries. The robot would be able to explore to a greater extent if it could recharge its batteries on its own, for example with solar panels. A GPS could be installed to keep track of the robot at all times.