Adam Noel, a PhD student and TA with ECE, demonstrates the Autonomous Rover, a 2nd year robotics project. The rover is able to detect and follow a magnetic field, similar to technology used in high-speed magnetic trains. The Autonomous Rover integrates essential aspects of electrical and computer engineering into a single project the students can work together on.
Autonomous Robotic Rover
This robot is based on a project completed by many 2nd year UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering Students. It is designed to follow a current-carrying wire without any human interaction (except to turn it on!). Coils placed at the front of the robot are used to detect the magnetic field generated by an alternating (AC) current source. By having two coils, the robot can detect curvature in the wire and turn to follow the wire.
Processing:
The “brain” of the robot is a micro-controller – the square-shaped chip visible from the top with lots of tiny connectors. It keeps track of measurements from the coils and adjusts the power supplied to the motors in order to change direction. Code for the micro-controller is written on a regular computer before being compiled and loaded onto the chip.
Motion:
There are two DC motors, each driving one of the front wheels. There is a bearing near the back to help maintain stability without dragging.
Power:
4 AA batteries are used to power the two motors. One 9-V battery powers the rest of the circuit. The circuit includes voltage regulation to maintain a constant voltage for the components, even as the 9-V battery is drained.
Bonus!
This robot also plays music as it moves using an interface between the micro-controller and a small speaker. The song resets whenever the robot stops moving.