Project Proposal

Kofi Meighan · February 6, 2023

Objective

  1. Build a low-cost (<$100) autonomous car for under-privileged classrooms to discover robotics
  2. Create an accompanying guide for hardware construction
  3. Author a small library of end-to-end deep learning models to pair with the physical construction of the robot
  4. Have the autonomous car be able to travel around an oval racing course while switching lanes in order to avoid obstacles

Why: For students beginning a journey in robotics there are not many projects that allow for inclusive introduction into the hardware and software necessary for an end-to-end robotics project. In my robotics experience there was a very large gap between teaching kids about coding while also understanding the hardware components that implement the code written. This project intends to provide underprivileged classrooms with access to the full range of knowledge necessary to understand the beginning processes of robotics with equal focus on hardware and software.

How: I will be researching different constructions 1/24 RC cars to scope out the most efficient pieces of hardware that can run low level models and algorithms while still efficiently running.

Hardware:

  1. RC Car
  2. Board Computer
    • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B ($35)
  3. Camera
  4. Battery (Battery Capable of 2A 5V output w/ microUSB cable)
  5. Motor Driver (Motion Control)
    • Pololu DRV8835 ($10)
    • Pololu TB6612FNG Dual Motor Driver Carrier ($9.95)
    • L293D ($ - TI hides prices tags lol)
      • This is just the actual motor driver chip. Implementation would require soldering and open wire configurations.
  6. MicroSD Card

Referenced Resources:

Outside Explanations/Materials:

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