Introduction: Light Seeking Mobile Robot - BASYS 3 (VHDL)

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About: Student of BINUS ASO School of Engineering majoring Automotive & Robotics Engineering

Light Seeking Mobile Robot, the main point of this project is light seeking. Most of organisms needs light in order to survive, but the amount needed varies. The behavior of organisms that need light and is often known is plants and Euglena where both organisms need light for photosynthesis (survive). Even Euglena has the ability to seeking for light sources. Through this concept, humans can take advantage of it in many ways in life or biomimicry.

Pictures source :

Step 1: Why This Project?

In this modern era, technology is getting more advance. Through advance technology, humans can take advantage of natural resources to be use on many fields, for example on automotive, industry, agriculture, and many others. One of useful technology that take advantage of natural resources is the light seeking behavior.

The light seeking behavior can be very useful and has been used on many kinds of technology, for example to direct solar panels towards the sun so that the energy collected from the sun can be maximize. And also, it can be used on a car so that the car can adjust the high beam headlamps automatically while there is an object from oncoming traffic. Thus, this light seeking mobile robot can be further develops for many kinds of fields.

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Step 2: Getting Ready

Before learning more about Light Seeking Mobile Robot you can click the linked page below to learn how to install "Vivado" (the app that used to program BASYS 3 with VHDL code).

How to Install Vivado HLs 2015.4 + Get Your License


If you already installed the Vivado you can click the linked page below to know how to get started with "Vivado" now.

How to Get Started With Vivado HLs 2015.4

Step 3: Camera-Guided Light Seeking Mobile Robot

In this project, BASE 2023 LC-71 will be divided into 5 divisions with different roles to maximize work and achieve goals which is recognize light source and move toward the light. Light Seeking Mobile Robot aims to find the point of the light source detected by the OV7670 camera. All functions in the form of VHDL code will be input on Basys 3 board to do the image processing and motor control.

Light Seeking Mobile Robot is composed of :

  • OV7670 Camera
  • Chassis
  • Battery AA (x3)
  • Pair of DC motor + wheels
  • Jumper wires

Light Seeking Mobile Robot is able to move back-forth and left-right (including rotational movement) according to the condition of the light source point. All decisions on the robot are the result of logical thinking that has been input on the Basys 3 board with the VHDL code.

BASE 2023 LC-71 divided into 2 groups, “Light Source Detector” and “Motor Speed Controller”, the 2 groups contain 5 divisions on Light Seeking Mobile Robot :

  • Timing/clock Generator - VGA Display
  • Pixel Capture - Camera Control
  • Thresholding & Buffering - Light Source Detection
  • Decide Direction & Speed - Left & Right Speed Controller
  • Left & Right Motor Driver - Left & Right Motor Speed Measurement

Step 4: Light Source Detector

This group has the roles to reads image from camera, thresholds and buffers the image, detect light source position and size for the motor speed controller. It also outputs captured pixels to a VGA display.

For more details you can refer to page below :

Step 5: Motor Speed Controller

This group has the roles to decides the target direction and speed of the robot based on the light source position and size, measures the speed of the two DC motors with position encoders, also control the speed of the two DC motors and drive the DC motor with PWM signals.

For more details :

Step 6: Conclusion & Video

Coming soon as soon as possible!

Step 7: References

  1. “11 Low Maintenance Plants for the Forgetful Type.” https://www.healthline.com/health/forget-you-have... (accessed Jun. 20, 2021).
  2. “[DIAGRAM] Diagram Euglena Sp FULL Version HD Quality Euglena Sp - OUTLETDIAGRAM.UMNCV.IT.” http://outletdiagram.umncv.it/diagram-euglena-sp/... (accessed Jun. 20, 2021).
  3. “27+ Solar Panel Pictures | Download Free Images on Unsplash.” https://unsplash.com/s/photos/solar-panel (accessed Jun. 20, 2021).
  4. “Mercedes-Benz EQC: Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.” https://www.mercedes-benz-mena.com/en/passengerca... (accessed Jun. 20, 2021).