How do I give a radio control car autonomous control

[Kenjones1935]

Yes,

It said something like overwriting previous address. It also did not like the comma in the @ line.

Ken

[mackrackit]

Yes,

It said something like overwriting previous address. It also did not like the comma in the @ line.

Ken

There is not a comma in the @ line... typo???
The overwriting previous address is from not have the config lines in the PBP inc file commented.

But if it is working...

[Byte_Butcher]

Ken,
If you just want to detect the direction of a light, I'd just get some generic CDS cells, similar to these:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...-p9001&x=0&y=0

Take 6 or 8 of them and point them in different directions around your car and connect them to the ADC channels on your PIC. Scan the ADC channels to see which one is sucking up the most light...


steve

[Kenjones1935]

I have the bits and pieces. I have the help of this forum.

Now I gotta settle my brain on a design and get to it.

I am imagining the autonomous racer going out into the lobby through one door and returning through the only other door.

Two choices come to my mind.

1. Place a light bulb on the floor at the entrance door. Have the PIC driven car find the light source and follow its beam.

2. Make sure all the doors in the lobby are closed. Have the PIC driven car follow the wall around the room until it finds the second open door.

What do you all think? Got some better ideas?

Thanks

Ken

[Byte_Butcher]

Hi Ken,

I think either the "seek the light" or the "keep the wall on your side" technique would be fine for your purpose.

The "stay close to the wall" method is probably more versatile because it could work in any room with walls...
The "seek the light" method sounds a little cheaper and easier to implement (just a gut feeling). Just point a bunch of CDS cells around the perimeter of the car, read the values into your ADC channels and look for the one with the lowest resistance. If the lowest resistance one ISN'T at the front of the car then you need to correct the steering until is.

With the light method, you'll need to regain control before the car actually GETS to the light, or have a way to make sure it passes to one side so the car doesn't dive straight into the heart of the sun...



steve

[Kenjones1935]

Decisions have been made. Avoiding the complexity of servo steering and electronic speed control drive wheels seems like a good decision. I am not comfortable with my very dated electronics (read that voltage control, FET's, current surge capacitors) memories.

I will make a fritzl-like wall hugger
(http://letsmakerobots.com/node/928)
that can also be radio controlled. I will use my toy level car much like fritsl's. I have a HiTec Ranger III RC system complete with a HiTec HFS-03MM three channel receiver.

I have Microchip's DM164120-2, a small demo board with a PIC16F887 device on board and a small surface mount prototype area. I am learning how to code it with PICbasic Pro.

All I need to finish are the SRF05 proximity sensors.

Wish me luck. I will keep you posted.

Ken

[Kenjones1935]

The answer is Velcro.

The question is, "How will I attach the PICkit pc board to the plastic chassis of the RC car and the DPDT carrying proto board?"

Ken