TAs: Somchaya Liemhetcharat Si Yang Ng Lab 3 Braitenberg Vehicles TAs: Somchaya Liemhetcharat Si Yang Ng

Who is Braitenberg? Valentino Braitenberg

What is a Braitenberg Vehicle? Machine designed to produce complex behaviors based on simple connections between its sensors and actuators In our case, we’ll be using light sensors

Basic Concept Each robot has a pair of light sensors on the front Robot A: Left sensor controls left motor and right sensor controls right motor Robot B: Left sensor controls right motor and right sensor controls left motor Which robot is a Photovore? Which robot is a Photophobe?

Your Assignment Build a Braitenberg Vehicle that: Grading Criteria Drives towards a stationary 60W light source Stops autonomously or by switching off the light source Grading Criteria Each team is given three attempts Points are awarded based on distance from light Full score is awarded if distance is less than 6” EXTRA CREDIT: Stops autonomously within 6” of the light source

Layout Robot will be placed 12-24” from light source Robot can be angled at ±45º away from the light

Suggestions Don’t use a fixed threshold value to detect light changes Subtle changes in sunlight or the opening of a window can cause your threshold value to become useless Use Lego pieces to narrow the light sensor field of vision This can make a world of difference in a robot’s behavior Build a robot platform which has 6”X6” foot print It will save you a lot of work on later labs

Demo Date Tuesday February 6th, 2007 During Recitation 3:30PM-4:20PM In the Robot Education Lab (REL) Please present a copy of the grading sheet to your grader at the demo

Questions?