CheezStix! EE 396 Micromouse Spring 2007 Proposal Presentation

Members  Toy Lim – Project Manager  Kyle Montpas – Software Leader  Tyson Kikugawa – Hardware Leader

Overview  Design and build an autonomous robotic mouse to find its way to the center of a maze as fast as possible

Hardware  Opted for $250 budget over kit  Design to be compact and light  Li-Ion batteries  Smaller stepper motor – 25.4mm x 38mm sq. (versus kit – 39mm x 42.3mm sq.)  Sensors – undecided

Hardware  PCBs/Circuits  Incorporate battery charging circuit  Voltage converters (3.7 V -> 5 V)  USB Interface for charging and programming communication  Structure  Possibly use sheet aluminum

Software  Develop sequentially  Drive (forward/backward)  Tracking (drive straight)  Turning (90, 180, 45 deg)  Exploration of maze  Shortest path algorithms

Expected Problems  Time!  Developing/Fabrication of structure  Programming/Debugging  USB Charging too slow?  Motor torque  Sensors – use and implementation

Expect to Learn…  Designing a system from scratch  Using sensors  Working with bi-polar motors  Developing navigation software  Serial over USB emulation

Deliverable Goals  Have a working mouse  Be able to find the center of the maze  Compete in Mini-Competition – Mar. 31

Proposed Schedule Feb Feb Feb Feb 25 – Mar 3 Mar Mar Mar Mar Apr 1 – 7 Order Parts Design circuits Order PCBs Design Structure Construct Mouse Program Debug & Fine tune

Questions?