ROBOTICS PROJECTS [ LINE FOLLOWING ROBOT ]

Step 1: COMPONETS REQUIRED

• Hardware:

  • Arduino board (Uno or Nano)
  • Motor driver shield (e.g., L298N)
  • DC motors (2)
  • Motor driver IC (e.g., L298N)
  • Line sensors (2)
  • Breadboard
  • Jumper wires
  • Battery (9V or 12V)
  • Battery connector
  • Chassis and wheels

• Software:

  • Arduino IDE

Step 2: Understanding the Circuit

Power Circuit:

• Connect the battery to the motor driver shield.
• Connect the motor driver shield to the Arduino.

Motor Control Circuit:

• Connect the motor driver pins to the Arduino's digital pins.
• Connect the motor terminals to the motor driver.

Sensor Circuit:

• Connect the line sensors to analog pins on the Arduino.
• Use resistors (e.g., 10k ohms) to create a voltage divider circuit for the sensors.

Step 3: Write the Arduino Code

C++

#define leftMotorPin1 5
#define leftMotorPin2 6
#define rightMotorPin1 9
#define rightMotorPin2 10

#define leftSensorPin A0
#define rightSensorPin A1

void setup() {
  pinMode(leftMotorPin1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(leftMotorPin2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(rightMotorPin1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(rightMotorPin2, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  int leftSensorValue = analogRead(leftSensorPin);
  int rightSensorValue = analogRead(rightSensorPin);

  if (leftSensorValue > 500 && rightSensorValue > 500) {
    // Both sensors are on white, go straight
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin1, 150);
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin2, 0);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin1, 150);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin2, 0);
  } else if (leftSensorValue > 500) {
    // Left sensor is on white, turn right
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin1, 150);
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin2, 0);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin1, 0);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin2, 150);
  } else if (rightSensorValue > 500) {
    // Right sensor is on white, turn left
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin1, 0);
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin2, 150);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin1, 150);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin2, 0);
  } else {
    // Both sensors are on black, stop
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin1, 0);
    analogWrite(leftMotorPin2, 0);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin1, 0);
    analogWrite(rightMotorPin2, 0);
  }
}

Step 4: Assembleing the Robot

1. Mount the components: Secure the Arduino, motor driver, battery, and sensors to the chassis.
2. Connect the wires: Connect the components according to the circuit diagram.
3. Test the motors: Ensure the motors rotate in the correct direction.
4. Calibrate the sensors: Adjust the sensor thresholds to optimize line following.

Step 5: Uploading the Code

1. Connect the Arduino to your computer.
2. Open the Arduino IDE.
3. Upload the code to the Arduino.

Step 6: Testing our Robot

Place your robot on a track with a black line and let it follow the line. Adjust the code and sensor thresholds as needed to improve performance.

Remember to experiment and have fun! You can modify this basic line-following robot to perform various tasks, such as obstacle avoidance, maze solving, or object tracking.

Would you like to explore another project, perhaps a robotic arm or a drone?