14-09-2017, 09:23 AM
Robotics has always been captivating. There are many types of robots and robotic applications, including the one implemented for automation. Although due to common perception, when the term "Robot" is called, the masses imagine the "Mobile Robots". And it's not uncommon for one to imagine a robot tracking Line, Light Follower, Waiter Robot, or Remote Control Car when it means "Robot."
While many of these "Moving Robots" have an autonomous mode of locomotion as a line following the robot follows the black stripes through the IR sensors to find their way through, a waiter robot follows the predefined programmed paths and the light chases a source of light, the robots are controlled remotely through a human interface. More commonly, this human interface is a remote control connected to the robot via cable.
Due to the cable connection between the robot and the remote control, its range of motion is restricted or requires a human to follow along the robot. Such a restriction for a "Moving Metal" is obviously the biggest drawback. Why not replace wired and wireless connectivity.
This project is a demonstration of similar wireless remote control applicable to two-wheel drive robots. The wireless remote control is a 434 RF module and the robot is powered in DC motors controlled by an L293D motor IC. Typically, 434 RF modules have a range of 50-60 meters but can be extended up to 300-350 meters. Thus, after expanding the operating range of the RF module, the RC robot will have an impressive walking distance. Learn more about extending the operating range of RF modules by installing a standard-size antenna and increasing transmission power.
In the project, the intelligence to interpret the control signal from the remote control and to follow a consistent action comes through Arduino Pro Mini. The robot built in the project can move forward, backward, turn right, turn left and can stop. This requires a set of 5 control signals on 4-bit data from the RF module 434 and only needs a single bit of the 4-bit signal to set high at a time. The stopping condition of the robot is predetermined condition and none of the control bits set high can stimulate the predetermined stopping condition. The remote control is built on a control board and the control signal has been provided via touch switches.
While many of these "Moving Robots" have an autonomous mode of locomotion as a line following the robot follows the black stripes through the IR sensors to find their way through, a waiter robot follows the predefined programmed paths and the light chases a source of light, the robots are controlled remotely through a human interface. More commonly, this human interface is a remote control connected to the robot via cable.
Due to the cable connection between the robot and the remote control, its range of motion is restricted or requires a human to follow along the robot. Such a restriction for a "Moving Metal" is obviously the biggest drawback. Why not replace wired and wireless connectivity.
This project is a demonstration of similar wireless remote control applicable to two-wheel drive robots. The wireless remote control is a 434 RF module and the robot is powered in DC motors controlled by an L293D motor IC. Typically, 434 RF modules have a range of 50-60 meters but can be extended up to 300-350 meters. Thus, after expanding the operating range of the RF module, the RC robot will have an impressive walking distance. Learn more about extending the operating range of RF modules by installing a standard-size antenna and increasing transmission power.
In the project, the intelligence to interpret the control signal from the remote control and to follow a consistent action comes through Arduino Pro Mini. The robot built in the project can move forward, backward, turn right, turn left and can stop. This requires a set of 5 control signals on 4-bit data from the RF module 434 and only needs a single bit of the 4-bit signal to set high at a time. The stopping condition of the robot is predetermined condition and none of the control bits set high can stimulate the predetermined stopping condition. The remote control is built on a control board and the control signal has been provided via touch switches.