We are in Pi Wars 2020!
We decided to apply again and have been accepted into Pi Wars 2020, hurray!
With Dan-ED accepted into the ‘beginners category’ at Pi Wars 2020 the team have stepped up development efforts. We have made numerous changes since last year. The most significant has been replacement of the Pi-zero with a Pi 2B to support the intensive processing needed for the autonomous challenges.
Dan-ED has also been ‘rebuilt’ internally, to make room for the Pi 2b. The battery pack and 5v regulator now sit at the bottom which also helps lower the centre of gravity. We added a Pi camera along with 3x ultrasonic sensors to provide the sensory input for the challenges. Our desire is for Dan-ED to take part in challenges autonomously. The sensors are in addition to the 2 line follower sensors already fitted. The camera will allow us to implement machine vision to give Dan-ED advance object recognition capability.
The drive train remains unchanged, apart from removing the rubber guide wheels. These were originally meant to support the caterpillar tracks but we found they added hugely to friction, slowing movement and greatly increasing power drain.
To allow connection of the extra sensors, we re-worked the GPIO breakout board, adding PCB connectors to make it neater but also to improve reliability of the connections. Almost all the GPIO pins are now in use. We have anticipated incorporating an IMU to provide orientation information for the Eco-disaster challenge and have brought out the I2C pins via a 5 pin connector.
The use of connectors means it is possible to easily re-purpose GPIO pins to support different functions depending on the challenge. For the zombie apocalypse challenge we will reuse the GPIO pins feeding the ultrasound sensors to control the nerf shooter.
Danny checking 'new' Dan-ED! 3x ultrasonic distance sensors and Pi-camera have been added to provide extra sensory input to support the autonomous challenges.
Pi – Zero has been replaced with a Pi – 2B. Dan-ED had to be rebuilt internally to make room for the bigger Pi - 2B.
Wiring for the GPIO breakout board has been ‘reworked’ with PCB connectors for ‘neatness’ and to improve reliability.
Getting the many components working together has been challenging. After many days ‘troubleshooting’, Dan-ED now works reliably!
Danny, testing out Dan-ED. It drives really well!
Work has started on the ‘weaponry’ for the ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ challenge. The shooter will be based on a 3 shot Nerf Triad.
Danny busily building the pan and tilt mechanism for the nerf dart shooter. The mechanism is entirely built from lego technic.
There are a lot of components in the pan and tilt. For testing, a lego IR remote will be used to ‘steer’ the shooter. In due course, this will be replaced by control signals from the Pi.
With Dan-ED accepted into the ‘beginners category’ at Pi Wars 2020 the team have stepped up development efforts. We have made numerous changes since last year. The most significant has been replacement of the Pi-zero with a Pi 2B to support the intensive processing needed for the autonomous challenges.
Dan-ED has also been ‘rebuilt’ internally, to make room for the Pi 2b. The battery pack and 5v regulator now sit at the bottom which also helps lower the centre of gravity. We added a Pi camera along with 3x ultrasonic sensors to provide the sensory input for the challenges. Our desire is for Dan-ED to take part in challenges autonomously. The sensors are in addition to the 2 line follower sensors already fitted. The camera will allow us to implement machine vision to give Dan-ED advance object recognition capability.
The drive train remains unchanged, apart from removing the rubber guide wheels. These were originally meant to support the caterpillar tracks but we found they added hugely to friction, slowing movement and greatly increasing power drain.
To allow connection of the extra sensors, we re-worked the GPIO breakout board, adding PCB connectors to make it neater but also to improve reliability of the connections. Almost all the GPIO pins are now in use. We have anticipated incorporating an IMU to provide orientation information for the Eco-disaster challenge and have brought out the I2C pins via a 5 pin connector.
The use of connectors means it is possible to easily re-purpose GPIO pins to support different functions depending on the challenge. For the zombie apocalypse challenge we will reuse the GPIO pins feeding the ultrasound sensors to control the nerf shooter.
This is beautiful. How do I follow you please
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