Mastering Line Follower Robots

Program Overview

Week 1: Introduction to Robotics and Line Follower Robots

• Day 1: Overview of Robotics and Its Applications

• • Definition of robotics, historical background, and significance
  • Introduction to different types of robots and their applications

• Day 2: Understanding Line Follower Robots

• • Definition and purpose of line follower robots
  • Examples of line follower robot applications in industry and education

• Day 3: Basic Concepts of Line Following

• • Principles of line following: sensors, feedback control, and decision-making algorithms

Week 2: Electronics and Components for Line Follower Robots

• Day 4: Introduction to Electronics for Robotics

• • Basics of electricity, circuits, and electronic components
  • Overview of components commonly used in line follower robots: motors, sensors, microcontrollers, etc.

• Day 5: Selection and Integration of Components

• • Choosing appropriate motors, sensors, and other components for line follower robot design
  • Understanding the interface between sensors, microcontrollers, and actuators

Week 3: Sensors and Sensor Integration

• Day 6: Understanding Line Detection Sensors

• • Types of sensors used for line following: infrared (IR) sensors, reflectance sensors, etc.
  • How sensors detect lines and differentiate between light and dark surfaces

• Day 7: Sensor Calibration and Testing

• • Calibrating line detection sensors for optimal performance
  • Testing sensor readings and ensuring reliability in different lighting conditions

Week 4: Programming for Line Follower Robots

• Day 8: Basics of Microcontroller Programming

• • Introduction to microcontrollers and their role in robotics
  • Basics of programming languages for microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino IDE, C/C++)

• Day 9: Algorithm Development for Line Following

• • Understanding control algorithms: proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, fuzzy logic, etc.
  • Developing line following algorithms and logic for different track layouts

Week 5: Design and Assembly of Line Follower Robots

• Day 10: Robot Chassis Design

• • Design considerations for line follower robot chassis: size, weight, material, etc.
  • Hands-on activity: Designing a custom robot chassis or selecting a pre-made chassis

• Day 11: Integration of Components

• • Assembling motors, sensors, and microcontrollers onto the robot chassis
  • Wiring and soldering connections between components

Week 6: Testing, Troubleshooting, and Optimization

• Day 12: Robot Testing and Calibration

• • Testing the line follower robot on different track configurations
  • Calibrating sensor readings and motor control for optimal performance

• Day 13: Troubleshooting Common Issues

• • Identifying and resolving common problems: sensor misalignment, motor imbalance, etc.

• Day 14: Optimization and Fine-Tuning

• • Fine-tuning control algorithms and parameters for improved line following accuracy
  • Experimenting with different strategies for speed control and cornering

Week 7: Competition and Project Showcase

• Day 15: Line Following Competition

• • Organizing a line follower robot competition among participants
  • Evaluation criteria: speed, accuracy, consistency, etc.

• Day 16: Project Showcase and Presentation

• • Participants present their line follower robots and share their design process and learning experiences

• Day 17: Course Conclusion and Certificates

• • Recap of key learnings and achievements
  • Distribution of course completion certificates to participants

Outlook

This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of designing, building, programming, and testing line follower robots, culminating in a competition and project showcase to demonstrate participants’ skills and knowledge.