Robot Encoder Demo: Tracking Straight

Shows differential-drive robot platform's ability to drive in a straight line, which is harder than it sounds. Parallax Basic Stamp microprocessor constantly adjusts two motors to keep two wheels synchronized for straight-line travel. Listen for the sounds of the motors switching between two speeds. Note that the robot is not optically tracking toward the red laser dot; the laser is simply taped to the platform to show how straight the platform travels. After traveling 15 feet, the laser is still centered on the vertical tape strip. Good accuracy for a simple relay-controlled robot.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• robot
• wheel
• encoder
• odometry
• differential
• drive