Computer Science 444: Embedded / Robotic Programming

Unit 4: Robotic Sensing

Sensors allow a robot to sense what is happening in the world around it. Sensors are critical to creating robots that can interact with the environment by providing a way for the robot to know what its actuators and affectors are doing. In this unit you will examine various sensors and how they can be used to create robots that can perform useful functions.

Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

describe the various kinds of sensors available to robots, from simple to complex.
describe how sensors can be used to enable robots to perform their functions effectively.
describe switches and light sensors and position sensors in terms of applicability to robot sensing.
describe some of the complexities in creating useful vision sensors.
discuss the creation of robots that employ sensors to perform useful functions.
employ the Arduino and the SparkFun Inventor’s Kit to create circuits which use various sensors to interact with the environment.

Readings

Please read the following chapters in the textbook:

What’s Going On? (Chapter 7)
Switch on the Light (Chapter 8)
Sonars, Lasers, and Cameras (Chapter 9)

Questions to Ponder

At the end of each chapter in the assigned readings there are questions labelled “Food for Thought.” Please answer these questions as best you can in your weblog, which will become part of your portfolio of competence submitted for marking during this course.

Exercises

Exercises for this unit can be found in the Instructor’s Weblog on the Landing. Please follow along with the exercises and programs using your own Arduino kit, and keep a record of your explorations in your own weblog.

Assignment 2

It is time to submit your weblog for Assignment 2.