Micromouse
Some picture of Micromouse
Sensor Circuit
The sensor circuit emits a high frequency signal using ultra violet diodes. This light signal bounces off of objects, back to the circuit, and gets detected by the light sensors. The detection signal then turns on an LED.
design pcb in proteus
The PCB was designed using Proteus software to create a compact and efficient board for operating the Micromouse and controlling its essential components. The circular design ensures even distribution of components and facilitates seamless integration into the robot. It includes essential elements such as resistors, capacitors, dedicated connectors for sensors and motors, as well as control circuits. The pathways are thoughtfully organized to ensure stable electrical connections and minimize interference, making the design a model of efficiency and precision in Micromouse applications.
PCB
This is a PCB board that was designed using Proteus software. The board shows the copper tracks that represent the electrical connections between the different electronic components. Fabricating this board is an essential step in turning a conceptual design into a physical product that can be tested and operated. The board appears circular with high-resolution printing, reflecting the quality of the design and implementation.
DRILLING PCB
PCB drilling is a basic process in which precise holes are created in the designated places on the board to hold electronic components or to pass connections between layers. This process requires high precision to avoid damaging the copper tracks or distorting the board. The locations of the holes are determined in advance based on the drawn design, and a very small drill bit is used that matches the required hole size. This step is essential to transform the conceptual design into a usable and installable board, ensuring the compatibility of the components and the integrity of the electrical connections.
Soldering
Soldering is the backbone that ensures the efficiency of electronic devices. It plays a crucial role in ensuring electrical communication between electronic components. Any mistake in this process can lead to circuit failure and cause the front sensors of the Micromouse to stop working, resulting in a lot of time spent identifying and fixing the issues caused by this error.
chassis
There is no car without a chassis, and likewise, there is no Micromouse without a chassis. The chassis is one of the most important parts of the Micromouse because we will physically attach everything related to the Micromouse to it, including the Raspberry Pi, sensors, motors, and the PCB.
test
After soldering the electronic components onto the PCB, it is important to ensure that all components are functioning correctly to prevent any issues in the Micromouse.
White line following
The White Line Following technique is used in Micromouse to make it follow a specific path on the ground, usually a white line. The Micromouse relies on optical sensors or infrared sensors to detect the difference between the white line and the dark background. When the Micromouse detects the white line, it sends signals to the motors to steer it along the correct path.
PCB redesign
After adding the FUTURES to the micromouse, we realized the need to allocate specific space for them on the PCB. Therefore, we redesigned the board to accommodate these new additions, which include:
- Buttons
- Audio system
- Potentiometer
This modification was made to improve component integration and simplify assembly and connectivity within the device.
Potentiometer
In our project, we used a potentiometer to easily switch between different Micromouse modes without reprogramming. The five available modes are:
- Testing Mode
- Combat Mode
- Line Following Mode
- Calibration Mode
- Obstacle Avoidance
Audio System
As part of the development stages of the Micromouse project, we decided to add a sound system as one of the additional features that enhance the user experience and improve the robot’s interaction with its surroundings.
This system relies on playing audio clips stored on an SD card, offering a practical and flexible solution. The user can simply load the audio files onto the SD card and insert it into the Micromouse, making the sounds ready to play during the robot’s operation.
Buttoned Audio System
- The audio system is controlled via the microcontroller.
- When specific buttons are pressed, certain sounds are triggered.
- The 4 buttons have multiple functions:
- Button 1: Skip to the next sound or increase the volume when held down.
- Button 2: Go back to the previous sound or decrease the volume when held down.
- Button 3: Play/Stop toggle.
- Button 4: “Special” button.
4 IR Sensors
Infrared sensors detect objects and measure distances without contact.
Benefits of using 4 sensors:
- Higher Wall Detection Accuracy: Keeps the robot centered in the path.
- Effective Obstacle Avoidance: Detects obstacles from all directions.
- Alignment Correction: Maintains accurate orientation.
Combat Push Counter
This feature allows the robot to count the number of collisions that it has with the other robots in combat mode.
It uses the front touch bar detect a collision, then add one to the counter, and displays it on the LCD screen.
Benefits :
Easier judging of the performance of the micromouse.
Gregynog’s combat
In the end, our team managed to secure victory in the combat competition held at Gregynog, proudly achieving first place. This accomplishment is the result of the hard work and dedication we put into developing and improving our Micromouse robot. While competing against other skilled teams, our robot proved its superiority, leading us to ultimately take the top spot.