OBSTACLE AVOIDING CAR WITHOUT USING ARDUINO OR ANY KIND OF MICROCONTROLLER? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Siddhat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 11:32:46 am
content: Hey everyone! I am planning to make an obstacle avoiding robot or a car without using arduino and without using any kind of microcontroller but I donot know where to start.I want to know the concepts related to this project. And how it can be made?And how can I start making this project?

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 11:54:06 am
content: What is the reason you are avoiding a microcontroller? Just for the challenge? You can probably throw together some crude logic and timers with a bunch of 74 series logic chips. Although I don’t really see the point myself.

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 11:56:46 am
content: Older robot kits did not use microcontrollers, just IR diodes, phototransistors and transistors to drive the motors.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 12:01:23 pm
content: Trythis google search.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 12:05:45 pm
content: If its simply to avoid obstacles, the common method is an IR/Photodetector pair per side, to make it turn when it gets too close to a wall, there are many example circuits out there, and tends to be the level of device you find kits for in electronics stores along side line following robots,The general principle is there is an op amp per motor, with a bias to make the thing drive forward, and the photo detector current is summed in to make it turn away the moment it gets too close to something,The more advanced ones have it probably controlling the motors by a PWM H bridge, or a virtual ground, this way it can reverse or stall the opposite wheel for tighter turning,This is all analog level stuff, Now some better qualifiers for what your trying to accomplish may help, obviously a matchbox car is approached differently to an actual car. and whether it only has to not hit anything, or just be able to get itself unstuck,

author: Siddhat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 12:25:11 pm
content: The main reason I am avoiding a microcontroller is to learn the use of hardware related ICs and components. And, also it becomes a challenge to do so.

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 12:44:19 pm
content: I applaud your desire to learn from discrete logic gates. It will teach you a lot of different concepts.It is a worthy challenge. But challenges also mean a lot of effort.....For instance, once that you start wiring many logic gates to perform combinational logic functions, you may want to learn aboutKarnaugh Maps,which will allow you to simplify complex Boolean expressions.Also, if your design involves sequential logic (i.e. flipflops and counters) learn how to constructState Diagrams.

author: In Vacuo Veritas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 01:30:42 pm
content: Solved!What? Pretty sure he'll avoid obstacles and is not a microcontroller.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 06:06:42 pm
content: What type of obstacles are you trying to avoid? The difficulty entirely depends on this. Can the car touch the obstacles? How tight of turns must it make? Does it need to stop?Most basic obstactle robots have two or more sensors on the front, which can be anything from microswitches to optical sensors. These control two motors on the robot that steer and drive forward with nothing detected, and reverse if both are triggered. In your case it would be stearing mechanism and drive motor. The drive would be an H bridge or relay controlled by an AND gate connected to both sensors to reverse it. The steering would be a PWM controlled servo connected to op amps for each sensor (assuming optical).If you only need two wheels, the op amps (or transistors) drive the motors directy (through control transistors). Reversing overrides the motors with relays that put them into hard reverse then left through a time delay. (or just directly left or right)

author: brabus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 06:54:55 pm
content: Quote from: Siddhat on September 18, 2018, 12:25:11 pmThank you mate! You made my day!

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 07:20:41 pm
content: Yeah, that's bad wording. He should have said without programming to be more clear.

author: brabus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 08:19:58 pm
content: Ooooh now I get it!Yes, it actually is more challenging without any micro, but nonetheless very interesting.

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 10:44:38 pm
content: I would think it's relatively easy if your only goal is to avoid obstacles. Does it have to get to any particular destination???For example, you could have infrared, sonar, microwave, whatever and if it finds a reflecting object, turn right. Heck, you can even do this with a microswitch and long piano wire. Then, if such object is detected, disengage left wheel, which will cause it to turn right. Obviously, this scheme will cause your vehicle to not reach any particular destination. So you'll have to combine it with some kind of control. But, obstacle avoidance is taken care of. I recall seeing something like this for motorized carts designed for senior folks. I don't recall details though.

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 10:49:26 pm
content: http://www.sparkfun.comhas all sorts of things you can use. Just look under "robotics" and "sensor".I don't like today's trend of using microcontrollers for EVERYTHING either. But it sure makes otherwise complex task easy, cheap, and modifiable. I think "maker" movement is by large made possible by micro-controllers.https://www.sparkfun.com/categories/23I just found SparkFun has an atmospheric sensor. I can make a car that avoids hurricanes! (yes, I live in Florida)

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2018, 11:21:00 pm
content: Pigeon Guidance!

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 12:09:12 am
content: You can make it go somewhere if the obstacles define specific path, such as with maze bots.The simplest obstacle robots use two micromotors and two solar panels, but this, as with any other brightness dependant mechanism, requires a specific light direction to operate. Your best bets are IR and mechanical, but the form factor and mechanism are up to you.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 12:31:55 am
content: What's up with the capitals being used in the title of both of these very similar threads, coincidence or aliasing ?.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/obstacle-avoiding-car-without-using-arduino/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/latest-innovative-ideas-for-ece-projects/

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 04:01:46 am
content: They are from the same country, but one is a brand new account while the other is from June 7, so IDK.

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 04:50:31 pm
content: Claude Shannon actually built anelectro-mechanicalmouse, that was used to solve mazes. Back in 1952.Similar to the problem the OP is asking.It definitively did not use any microcontrollers! Or ICs for that matter.https://cyberneticzoo.com/mazesolvers/1952-%E2%80%93-theseus-maze-solving-mouse-%E2%80%93-claude-shannon-american/

author: Mickster
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2018, 02:08:29 am
content: Amongst other kit makers, Velleman made a light-seeking microbug kit (MK127) which had differential steering, using LED's, LDR's, motors, transistors, resistors and some batteries, and little else:https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=velleman+mk+127+schematic&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip4tiXucjdAhVyw1kKHe8WAk8QBQg4KAA&biw=1366&bih=626&dpr=1#imgrc=YiOt_ahXtLHSOM:Right there is a starting point, using parts which could easily be sourced/scavenged from junk electronics which may be found in Nepal, with the possible exception of the LDR's, although photodiodes could be scavenged from old VCR's as a substitute.Also, look at B.E.A.M. robotics, for other items which could be used/abused in the style of Mark Tilden - 74xx240/245 bus buffers/transcievers used as motor drivers, and head trackers, as an example:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BEAM_roboticsRegards.

author: apblog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2018, 03:33:11 am
content: If this sort of thing interests you, I recommend the Apple 2 game Robot Odyssey, which is a simulation of exactly what you asked. Just substitute proximity sensors for the bumpers in the game.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Odyssey

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2018, 06:28:29 pm
content: That seems awesome. That must have been quite sophisticated for it's time.

author: Siddhat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 03:45:00 pm
content: The type of obstacles that I am going to avoid are the obstacles that comes in its way. It may be anything that reflects IR radiation.no, the car cannot touch the obstacles.And it must make nearly 90 degrees turn in the path where there are least obstacles. The car may or may not stop.Yes, I am planning to use a IR sensor for detecting obstacles. I thought of the same concept of moving forward and backwards as yours. I guess I am progressing on the project. Thanks for the comment.

author: Siddhat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 03:48:15 pm
content: Yes, the goal is only to avoid obstacles. No, it doesnot have to get to a particulat destination but it should go to a path that has least obstacles.