| Projects |
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| OUBot |
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| A Prototype Robot for a new Open University course on
robotics |
| A proof-of-concept robot has been built for
the Department of Design and Innovation at the Open
University. Based on a PIC 16F627 microcontroller, it features a line of 16 reflective IR
sensors underneath and the firmware allows simple patterns to be scanned and the data
passed via an IR comms link to a PC for processing.
Commands are sent to the robot via the IR link. Windows
HyperTerminal is used to send commands and receive data on the PC. |
Click for a bigger
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| Manual for OUBot |
Manual |
PDF |
273 kb |
| NovaBot Explorer |
| A 4WD articulated robot explorer prototype
for iBOTZ |
| Two prototype NovaBots have been linked together mechanically using a
flexible coupling, and electrically via a 10-way ribbon cable. The castors are removed.
The standard firmware automatically assigns Master status to the lead unit. Communication
between the two units is via a two-wire I2C serial bus. Commands received on the Master's
remote IR comms link are passed on to the slave(s) on the I2C bus. |
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| Table Explorer |
| A simple robot
that will avoid obstacles and not fall off the table |
| This design shows what can be done with minimal electronic sophistication. In
this case, the robot 'brain' is a cheap dual comparator chip - no microcontroller! The 'feelers' on the front perform two functions: close a switch when they
hit an object and close when they fall over the table edge. When a switch closes, the
motor on that side reverses for a preset time before returning to normal. The result is
uncannily intelligent..... |
Click for bigger
picture
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| Circuit Diagram |
Table1 |
PDF |
17 kb |
| Photovore |
| A light-hungry robot that will head towards a
bright light |
| Another simple robot based on a dual comparator chip. This time, a
phototransistor on each side turns on the opposite motor swinging the vehicle
towards the light source. There is no elaborate control system
here so the robot swerves from side to side as it heads towards the light. A couple of
pots allow the sensitivity to be tuned. |
Click for bigger
picture
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| Circuit diagram |
Photovore1 |
PDF |
17 kb |
| Remote Control for NovaBot |
| A handheld IR remote control and PC link |
| This box performs the functions of both remote control and IR communications
link to a PC. The design uses a PIC 16F627 device and allows the operator to activate
NovaBot's in-built programs or to 'drive' the robot manually using a steering wheel. An
internal preset jumper link selects one of two coded channels allowing two robots to be
controlled by independent remotes. Operation of a slide switch turns the unit into an IR
communications base station connected to a serial COM port of a PC. A Windows control
panel can be used to perform the function of the remote control and also permit user
programs to be downloaded to the robot or data uploaded. |
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| Manual for
NovaBot Remote |
Manual |
PDF |
1074 kb |
| Software for
NovaBot Remote |
Assembler source |
ASM |
8 kb |
| Jigsaw |
| A game for the British Museum COMPASS project. |
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| Internet Jigsaw
Puzzle |
Play |
| Allow up to 45 seconds for the jigsaw pieces to appear with a 56K
modem. |
| CD Player |
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| A new life for old CD-ROM drives with IDE interface |
| Student Project
Report |
Report |
PDF |
84 kb |
| CD Player
software |
Software |
ASM |
16 kb |
| Commitment Accounting Database |
| An Access database providing basic facilities for keeping
track of expenditure and income for multiple simultaneous projects. Contact
me for more information. |
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