Critical Evaluation and Design of Mechatronic and Robotic Systems

Basic concepts of main components

1.Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding: Critically evaluate mechanical, electrical, electronic and software aspects of robots and other mechatronic systems through the synthesis and critical application of domain knowledge

2.Demonstrate the following skills and abilities: Design, implement, test, and critically evaluate mechatronic / robotic systems using suitable techniques within problems that contain partial information.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

To ensure students have the best chance to complete assessment 1 and 2, it is necessary to first explore the basic concepts of some of the main components. Analysis and evaluation are key aspects that must be implemented in all design choices.

Elaborate a concise table that should contain brief descriptions, advantages, and disadvantages in terms of complexity of implementation, available resources, cost, dimensions, accuracy, and limitations (for instance range, memory, power consumption) of the following components:

1. a) Arduino Bluno Microcontroller.
2. b) Ultrasonic sensor.
3. c) Temperature and Humidity Sensor.

Click or tap to enter a date.

Critically evaluate mechanical, electrical, electronic and software aspects of robots and other mechatronic systems through the synthesis and critical application of domain knowledge

Demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

Design, implement, test, and critically evaluate mechatronic / robotic systems using suitable techniques within problems that contain partial information.

To become familiar with TinkerCAD software tool and better learn how to use it, it is necessary to thoroughly practice by drawing a circuit design which it could be incorporated in the robotic vehicle final prototype. Using TinkerCAD students are required to design a neat and aesthetically pleasing single circuit diagram that correctly implements and connects the following components:1 Motor driver “L293D”.

2 Motors “Hobby Gearmotor” They should be positioned one at the right and one at the left.

2 “Photoresistors” They should be positioned one at the right and one at the left.

1 “Ultrasonic Distance Sensor” It should be positioned in the center.

Suitable resistors to maximize the performance/responsiveness of the Photoresistors.

A snapshot of the completed circuit diagram should be included in the report with a brief analysis of how and why each component was implemented in such a way.

3. To practice and improve the students programming skills you are required to utilize the previous circuit diagram to write a program code that enables the components to perform the following functionality:
4. The right motor turning speed should depend on the values of the right photoresistor. For instance: photoresistor lower values -> motor turns faster, photoresistor higher values -> motor turns slower. The change of speed should be gradual and inversely proportional to the values of the photoresistor.
5. The left motor turning speed should depend on the values of the left photoresistor. For instance: photoresistor lower values -> motor turns faster, photoresistor higher values -> motor turns slower. The change of speed should be gradual and inversely proportional to the values of the photoresistor.
6. When the distance recorded on the ultrasonic sensor is less that 10cm both motors should turn in their corresponding opposite directions at 50% of speed for 5 seconds and then stop.
7. Every previous event should be display in the Serial Monitor in real-time. For instance: right/left photoresistors values, right/left motors speed and direction, ultrasonic sensor readings, when the motors finally stop. Regarding task 3 the report should include the following:
8. A brief evaluation of the key algorithms/functions use in the program code.
9. A snapshoot of the TinkerCAD circuit showing the right motor turning speed (rpm) and the right photoresistor value, a second snapshot of the serial monitor showing these values in real time. For this subtask two sets of two snapshots each is required, one at slow speed and one at fast speed.
10. The same as a) but with the left motor and left photoresistor.
11. When the ultrasonic sensor is reading less that 10cm. One snapshoot of the TinkerCAD circuit showing the ultrasonic sensor reading and both motors speed, two snapshots of the serial monitor, one when the motors are turning in the opposite direction and one when they stop.
12. All snapshots/images should be properly labelled.
13. The complete program code (with comments) should be included in the appendix. “Not in the main report”

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

To pass Assessment 1, you will need to:

• Explain and justify the choice of components for a given scenario.
• Utilise a set of components to build a solution for a given scenario and justify the choices you have made
• Produce a working design of a mechatronic system and outline and justify an approach that can be used to test that your system works.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

1. Attend all the practical sessions and show initiative to investigate, experiment and implement electronic components in a circuit using TinkerCAD software tool.
2. Submit a formal written report that contains well-structured content including all the graphical representations of the circuit design, components, and programming code. All appropriately shown.
3. Complete all the tasks given in the assessment and briefly analyse and evaluate the designs and drawings on how they were implemented. Should also include encountered problems if any and proposed solutions.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

During each schedule session we will cover the main aspects of the assessment. You will be introduced to Computer-Aided Design software application (TinkerCAD) and electronics components, subsequently you will conduct relevant circuit design exercises related to the assessment tasks.