First, you'll code an app that allows your robot to detect a surface drop-off (such as: a table edge, a stair step leading down, a hole in the surface, etc.). This will allow your robot to take actions to protect itself from a fall (by braking, reversing, changing direction, etc.).
A surface drop-off can be easily detected using the IR line sensors. When the front edge of the robot is hanging over a surface drop-off, the IR sensor readings will be very high (typically 1000 or higher).
In your Arduino code editor, use the "Save As" command to save a copy of the line_sensors_test app as a different app named: detect_dropoff_test
Once you saved the new app name, modify the block comment near the beginning of the app code to change Line Sensors Test to Detect Surface Drop-off Test.
Your app will need to create new objects (as global variables) to represent the robot's motors and button. Add this code before the setup() function:
This app will use the "Press to Start" code. You'll press the D12 button to "start" the robot. Once the robot is "started," you can press the button again to "pause" the robot. (Pressing the button yet again will "start" the robot again.)
You need to declare global variables for the LED pin and speaker pin. You also need a global variable to keep track of whether or not the robot has been "started." Add this code before the setup() function:
Set the pin modes for the LED and speaker by adding this code within the setup() function:
This app does not need the Serial.begin() statement within the setup() function. You can turn this code statement into a comment by typing two forward slashes // at the beginning of the statement.
Next, you need to add the custom function named checkButton() that will check whether the D12 button is pressed, in order to "start" or "pause" the robot.
Add this custom function after the loop() function:
Next, delete the code statement that calls the testLineSensors() function within the loop() function. This will give you an "empty" loop() function.
Now add this new code within the loop() function:
Later, you'll add the code to be performed when the robot is started or paused.
You'll add a custom function named checkDropOff() which will contain code to use readings from the IR line sensors to detect a surface drop-off and avoid driving over the drop-off.
Add this custom function after the loop() function:
As you can see, when a drop-off is detected, the robot will brake the motors and make an alert sound. Later, you'll add more code statements to perform additional actions.
When the D12 button is pressed to "start" the robot, we want the robot to start driving forward and checking for a surface drop-off.
Add this code statement within the if statement in the loop() function, so it will be performed when started is true:
Once the robot has been "started," the D12 button can be pressed again to "pause" the robot.
When the robot is "paused," we want make the robot stop driving.
Add this code statement within the else statement in the loop() function, so it will be performed when started is false:
You'll modify the checkDropOff() custom function by adding code statements to perform further actions when a surface drop-off is detected.
Right now, when a drop-off is detected, the checkDropOff() function will brake the motors and make an alert sound.
You'll add code to also make the robot back up (drive in reverse). The code will also "pause" the robot (by changing the value of started back to false), so you can repeat this surface drop-off test multiple times.
Add this code within the if statement in the checkDropOff() function, so it will be performed when the IR sensors detect a drop-off (add this code after the tone() statement):
Follow the steps to connect your robot to your computer, and upload the app.
Unplug the USB cable from the robot, and place the robot on a desk or table, so the robot is about 12 inches away from the edge of the desk (or table) and pointed towards the edge.
Press the D12 button to "start" the robot driving forward. When the robot detects the edge of the desk or table, the robot should stop, make an alert sound, and back up.
If you want to repeat the test, press the button to "start" the robot again.