iTRIx
iTRIx is the microcontroller based robotics workshop by TRI India,where you learn the art of making autonomous robots. This workshop teaches you the fundamentals of designing and building autonomous robots by integration with a microcontroller. iTRIx also focuses on conceptualization and designing of complex systems and will help clear concepts related to embedded systems, artificial intelligence and automation.
Apart from the theoretical sessions, participants would be working on autonomous robotics kit (iBOT) specially designed by TRI. 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.
What this workshop aims to achieve is to push your limits, to further fuel your passion for robotics. We hope that building autonomous robots will drive you to further pursue robotics seriously while at the same time enjoying the entire creative process.
The concepts that will be covered in the 2 day span are:-
- ANATOMY OF AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS
- MICROCONTROLLERS
- PROGRAMMING
- ACTUATORS
- MOTOR DRIVERS
- SENSORS
- POWER SUPPLIES
The cost for the workshop includes
- The iBOT 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 iBOT kit is flexible enough to be modified for different applications such as line following robot, wall following robot, obstacle avoiding robot etc. Using the creativity and imagination, iBOT is self sufficient to make any dream autonomous machine.
We conduct workshop on 2 consecutive days, each day 8 hours session so in total 16 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
- 8051 core
- Philips 89V51RD2 microcontroller
This exhaustive session will include the study of different microcontrollers available, especially the 8051 core and its derivatives. 89V51RD2 features and capabilities will be studied in depth.
- Embedded C programming
- Working on SDCC based TRIC IDE
- Flash Magic
- Bootloading
An introduction to the embedded C programming concepts will be given. Hands-on sessions will include study and execution of different programs. Step by step process of coding in TRIC IDE , for our particular microcontroller, shall be explained. A due attention shall be given to good programming practices.
- Geared DC motors
- RC Servo motors
- Stepper motors
Details of various types of motors and actuators will be studied. Special attention will be imparted to DC and stepper motors. Other unconventional modes of actuation like Pneumatics and artificial muscles will be discussed in brief. Hands on sessions will include controlled driving of DC motors in different drive configurations.
- Electromechanical: Relays
- Solid-state drivers: H-bridge, IC drivers
Principles of motor drivers including electromechanical and solid-sate drivers will be covered. Concepts of fly-back diodes, snubbers and other different strategies to reduce interference will also be studied.
- Light: IR LEDs, LDRs, IR photodiodes and phototransistors
- Heat: Thermistors
- Sound: Ultra-Sonics
- Mechanical touch sensors
Capability of any autonomous robots is directly limited by the number of sensory inputs. Different types of sensors and their applications will be studied in this session. Hands-on sessions will deal with interfacing and calibration of Infrared based line detection and obstacle detection sensor modules.
- Lead-acid batteries
- Ni-Cd
- Ni-Mh
- Li-ion
Different kind of batteries, their pros and cons will be studied in detail. Charging mechanisms employed with respective circuit diagrams will also be explained.
During the hands on sessions participants will be working on robotic research platform, the iBOT. To further add to the excitement of building autonomous robots, a SUMO robotics theme will be applied to the robot. At the end of two days session, all the participants will be making line follower, obstacle avoider & Autonomous SUMO robot. With the help of SUMO robotics, the participants will learn to integrate different modules, formulate advanced strategies and enter an arena of competitive robotics.
The iBOT includes the following components:
The controller board (Brain)
- Built around the popular 89V51RD2 microcontroller with ample of program memory (64Kb).
- 8 channels of motor control, capable of driving 4 dc motors or 2 stepper motors at a time.
- Onboard LCD for enhanced interaction.
- 8 digital input channels for sensor interfacing.
- Onboard RS232 level shifter for direct communication with a computer.
- 4 general purpose leds and switches.
- Two Infrared line detecting modules.
- Two Infrared obstacle detecting modules.
- Laser cut, powder coated MS Chasis.
- Driven by 2 geared motors.
- 8 x 1.2V rechargeable NiMH battery pack.
- DC power supply with built-in NiMH battery charger.
Ideally, participants should be acquainted with electronic circuits and C programming. A basic idea about microcontrollers will be an added advantage.
