Line Following Tips photoresistor circuit photoresistor positioned near floor

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Add extensions to photoresistors while you may eventually choose to use two photoresistors, you only need one to get started.

Review of photoresistor implementation int analogPin = 2; // middle terminal of voltage divider circuit int val = 0; // variable to store the value read void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // setup serial display } void loop() { val = analogRead(analogPin); // read the input pin Serial.println(val); // print value to serial monitor 5V analog input 2 photoresistor 10kW The “voltage” sensed at analog pin 4 is sent to the Serial Monitor for viewing. Here, an output of 0 represents 0V and 1023 represents 5V.

Try different resistors to see which value gives the best response Experiment with circuit & photoresistor placement void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { int val = analogRead(2); Serial.println(val); 5V analog input 2 photoresistor R Move the robot with your hand so that the active photoresistor is over white and then over the black stripe. Make a note of the values sent to the serial monitor. Does it matter how far the photoresistor is from the ground level? Try different resistors to see which value gives the best response

Photoresistor output variation void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { int val = analogRead(2); Serial.println(val); Consider the possible output values of your photoresistor setup: Experimenting with your photoresistor in well lit conditions may result in consistent “white” and “black” output values. However, if you move to another environment, such as a dimly lit room, your “white” and “black” values would likely decrease (the way we have the circuit configured). To compensate for this variation, it is common practice to measure “white” and “black” values “on the fly” as your robot begins its mission. You could write a function that determines the “threshold” values for your robot.

Following the Left Edge of a Line Consider the case where we are following the left edge of a black line on a white background. One way to navigate along the edge of the line is to . . . Go forward and to the left when the photoresistor is over black Go forward and to the right when the photoresistor is over white Considerations: Robot path: how sharp should the robot turn as it moves forward? Would it be possible to go straight when you are on the edge of the line? Possible Algorithm: Go right if output > 520 Go straight if 440 < output < 520 Go left if output < 440 1 2 3 4

Simple left-edge line following program #include <Servo.h> Servo myservo1; Servo myservo2; int white=520; // this number probably won't work for you int black=440; // this number probably won't work for you void setup() { myservo1.attach(2); myservo2.attach(3); Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { int val = analogRead(5); Serial.print("white = "); Serial.print(white); Serial.print(" black = "); Serial.print(black); Serial.print(" val = "); Serial.println(val); if (val>white) {slow_right(); } // over white else if (val<black) {slow_left(); } // over black else {slow_forward(); } // over gray void slow_forward() { myservo1.writeMicroseconds(1550); myservo2.writeMicroseconds(1450); } void slow_right() { myservo2.writeMicroseconds(1520); } void slow_left() { myservo1.writeMicroseconds(1480);

Hints/tips to get you started: Class Problem: Using the mats provided program your Arduino to travel forward until the photoresistor detects the black line. Once the black line is detected, program your Arduino to immediately stop. Hints/tips to get you started: What is the analog value read by your Arduino when it sees the mat versus the black line? Use the servo library and/or functions to help with motion.