-The Cookie Files-
-Head-
Aim:
To design and program an original robotic pet with the following basic characteristics:
· Sensormatic autonomous movement
· Can be squeezed to some extent, unlike current pets sold
· More functional
-/Head-
-Body-
Introduction
A draft of the robot consisted of a gearbox and motor positioned in the centre of a baking pan, controlled by remote. It could move in any direction controlled by the remote.
{bot diagram}
The robot runs based on programming stored in the Jackrabbit® chip. The programming language used is Dynamic C. It had to be programmed mostly from scratch, although adaptations of the demo programs were tried.
-Motor/Movement-
First of all, enough current must be produced to enable the robot to move, so we had to try out different circuits in order to get that required current. (Diagrams unavailable here) The circuit that finally worked was the Darlington circuit, which amplified the current initially produced.
How it works:
{circuit diagram}
The programme in the Jackrabbit chip is transferred to the motor by the Jackrabbit by a current through the output point. The current is then inverted by the inverter(e.g. low current => high current and vice versa). Excess voltage goes out by the Voltage and Ground points. The current goes through the transistors, which increases it, but not enough for the motors to work. Which is why we used the diagram in Figure 3.
How it works:
{circuit diagram}
This one is the same as the one above, except that the number of transistors is doubled. This allows enough current to be produced to run the motors.
Difficulties Encountered:
It took some time to get the circuit right.
Done:
Cookie moves randomly or in directions appointed by buttons.
-Functionalities-
Infrared:Avoiding Edges
Commonly sold robotic pets(e.g. Micropets) are mostly only voice/sound recognition, and so we have decided to input a program that allows the Cookie to avoid edges so that it does not fall off tables or down the stairs when you aren’t paying attention.
Infrared works by emitting infrared rays that allow the pet to sense a sudden change in the depth below it, so it can tell when there is an edge and reverse and not fall off. If you hold it up in the air, it will not sense the lack of ground beneath it, instead, that will be sensed as normal ground until you bring it over a pit or something.
Difficulties Encountered:
This function does not work in areas that are too bright, or on reflective surfaces – For better performance, use on matte or dark surfaces.
Ultrasound: Avoiding Obstacles
As previously mentioned in the basic aims, the pet focuses on functionality. Therefore the next step – inputting a program involving ultrasound so that it doesn’t bump into you when you walk towards it.
Ultrasound works by emitting continuous waves that bounce off objects depending on where the objects are located, and this allows the pet to know where what is.
Difficulties Encountered:
Rate of emitting had to be controlled so that the cookie would not simply sense everything around it – in that case it would get stuck.
Done:
Cookie moves with consideration to surroundings.
-/Body-
-/The Cookie Files-
