AddSense-an Interactive short term course on advanced sensors
AddSense is meant for those who are confident about their microcontroller skills but want to explore more than just obstacle and line sensors. We bring you a workshop on advanced sensors. This might be your opportunity to learn about some very important sensors which could give you a new perspective of robot development. The workshop will be focused on introducing you to the new kind of sensors and learning how to use them.
AddSense also provides you a chance to befriend the feature rich AVR Microcontroller. We would be exploring the different features of the AVR Microcontroller.
All these sessions will be revolving around developing robotic applications on the Advanced sensor robotics platform specially designed by ThinkLABS. This kit includes, microcontroller based board, programming tool, sensors, actuators etc. Hands on sessions on this kit help the participants to enhance their embedded C programming and PC hardware interfacing. By the end of this workshop, we promise to leave you with a head rush of ideas about what all you can accomplish with the things you have learnt in these 3 days.
The concepts that will be covered in the 3 day span are:-
The cost for the workshop includes
- The advanced sensor kit (per team)
- Training fee
- Pre & Post workshop Handouts and training material
- Participation certificate
Additionally, a detailed manual of the kit and an Application Cookbook will also be provided to each participant. The take away kit is flexible enough to be modified for different applications. Using the creativity imagination and now, the advanced sensors, it is self sufficient to make any dream autonomous machine
We conduct workshop on 3 consecutive days, each day 7 hours session so in total 21 hours properly divided into theory and hands on sessions. In the end we organize a small competition among the participants of the workshop so that the students get the real feel of competitive environment.
- Introduction to BEAM robotics
- Microcontroller based robots
- Elements of an autonomous robot
This session will introduce the participants to the world of autonomous robotics. Different approaches to building autonomous robots will be covered. Participants will be introduced to basic elements of an autonomous machine viz.. Microcontroller, actuators, feedback and sensors. All this will be sequentially dealt with, in detail throughout the workshop. .
- Overview of available microcontrollers
- Introduction to 8051 core and AVR
- Programming the AVR Microcontroller
- Timers and Counters
- Generation of PWM
- Using the On-Chip Analog to Digital Convertor (ADC)
This session will introduce the participants to the microcontroller. 8051 will be introduced in brief and AVR will be taught exhaustively. We will explore some features offered by the AVR Microcontroller. These features will be used in our applications through out the workshop.
- Introduction Embedded C Programming
- Programming the AVR
- Working on AVR Studio and Ponyprog
The students will be introduced to the world of Embedded C Programming. We will be working on AVR Studio. Step by Step Process of coding, compiling and burning will be explained. Due attention will be given for good programming practices. An
- DC motors
- RC Servo motors
- Stepper motors
Different actuators used in Robotics will be introduced. 3 of the most commonly used electrical actuators will be discussed in detail (DC Motors, RC Servo Motors, and Stepper Motors). Mechanism to drive and control these actuators will also be covered in this session.
- Touch, Distance, Heat, Sound Sensors.
- Analog Distance Sensors
- Optical Encoders
- Accelerometers
This session will include both, introduction to simple sensors and study of advanced sensors. These are the sensors which can prove to be extremely useful in many applications, and will improve the capability of your robot dramatically. Hands on sessions will concentrate on at least one activity with the use of each sensor.
During this workshop, the students will be working on our robotic research platform. In addition to the platform, sensors such as Analog IR Sensors, Optical Encoders, and Accelerometer modules will be included. The Participants will use this kit right from assembling it to modifying it to suit the particular applications.
In the course of the workshop, major hands on activities include:
- Gesture controlled robot
- Obstacle Avoiding Robot.
- Cruise control robot
- A cruise control system with a gesture remote control.
The kit includes the following components:
The controller board (Brain)
- Built around the AVR ATmega8 microcontroller.
- 2 switches and 2 LEDs on board.
- 18 I/O ports for external peripherals
- 8 ADC Input Channels.
- In-system Programmer which can double as a UART Dongle.
- RS 232 Cable
- Analog Sensor. Encoder and Accelerometer Modules
- Motor Driver Module.
- Laser cut, Acrylic Chassis.
- Driven by 2 geared DC motors.
We expect participants to have prior experience in microcontrollers and C programming. Knowledge of AVR Microcontrollers will be an added advantage.
