BaW-Bot Part 3: Adding Sight and Touch to the Bot

This is the third part of our BaW-Bot (Bells-and-Whistles Bot) build – 5 separate instructables that look into different Arduino-related technologies, combining to create a Bot with all the bells-and-whistles.

Part 1: Build an Arduino on a Board
Part 2: Build the motor-controller & body
Part 3: Adding Sight and Touch
Part 4: Blinging up the BaW-Bot
Part 5: Taking it to the Next Level

In this instructable, we’ll be giving our Bot some freedom by adding sensors to keep it safe.  We’ll be adding an ultrasonic sensor (“eyes”) as well as 2 lever microswitches (“whiskers”).  We’ll also be building a “leash” so that we can keep it out of trouble while we develop the bot.

Step 1: The Parts

You'll need the following parts, as well as the body and Arduino you built in Parts 1 & 2 of this series.  There are many different models and manufacturers - I've simply linked to the parts I have, you can opt for your own preferred supplier/model:

1 x IR Receiver (38KHz)
1 x Household Infrared Remote Control (TV / stereo / iPod / etc.)
1 x Ultrasonic Range Sensor
2 x Lever Snap Action switches
Connector wires
2 x 10k Ohm resistors

Comments

[ctollerian]

Hi!
I'm wondering if it's possible to connect up the motor-controller to a Raspberry Pi, so the usage of an Arduino wouldn't be neccesary, because I have no access to one, but I have access to a RPi.

Greetings from Germany! ;)

[AndyTallack]

Hi

I'm not really sure - as the Pi only has USB ports, you'd need:
- some way to turn a single USB port into multiple I/O channels to control the motor driver
- some way to address and program these multiple channels.

I recommend you make the leap and get an Arduino - they go for about EUR24 and seriously will be worth it! Look at: http://arduino.cc/hu/Main/Buy

Good luck

[hankenstien]

You can get arduino for much cheaper then that almost half that price shop around
I got my mini for $14 free shipping dollars.
MY Mega I got for 27 or 28 dollars free shipping.

My Uno in a kit for $50 FREE shipping and the kit came with:
( This is my affiliat link but I truly think it is a good deal, they also have tons of other arduino related parts for very good prices, all with FREE shipping. )
- Package includes:
- 1 x Arduino UNO board
- 1 x Development expansion board
- 1 x Breadboard (10 X 20cm)
- 1 x Acrylic plate
- 1 x LED emitter kit (red / green / yellow; each 5pcs)
- 2 x Buzzer
- 4 x Push button switch
- 2 x Seven segments display
- 2 x Mercury switch
- 3 x Light dependent resistor
- 1 x Adjustable resistor
- 1 x Flame sensor
- 1 x Infrared receiver
- 1 x Resistor kit (200ohm / 1K ohm / 10K ohm; each 10pcs)
- 1 x LM35 temperature sensor
- 1 x USB cable (48cm)
- 20 x Breadboard cable
- 1 x 9V battery
- 1 x Battery slot
- 1 x Remote control (1 x LR1130 / included)
- 2 x Storage case (1-large / 1-small)
- 1 x Software CD

The only thing to worry about is that once you start playing with arduino you cant go back! it will mack a great companion to your Pi. im waiting for my next invite, my first one the early sign up coupon, got lost in my spam box, and by the time I noticed, they were sold out   $@#%!!!!!!

[ctollerian]

Yeah I will definitely buy one, or build it with your great instrcution.
So the motor-controller only needs some I/O which can be programmed?

That would be perfect, because the Pi has 26 GPIO Pins which can be programmed thorugh Python, C and other languages :)
http://elinux.org/RPi_Low-level_peripherals

I'm nearly a beginner to these kind of electronics, so sorry if i ask too much..

[AndyTallack]

OK then that should work OK - I see the Pi only tolerates 3.3V inputs. The motor driver takes 3V as well, so you should be ok. Check the datasheet at:
http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/docs/datasheet/en/LinearIC/TB6612FNG_en_datasheet_080509.pdf

Good luck - and make sure you post your results!

P.S. keep asking - it's a steep learning curve (and I'm still struggling up it!)

[hankenstien]

One other thing to consider is the amperage of the motor. make sure you got enough current. It seems like the voltage is there, if not enough current you could adopt an arduino motor controller or H bridge to run off your 3 volts I would think.

Let us know how it turns out, because im curious at all the possibilities of the Pi, Just a matter of time before I get mine!
Good day.