Activity #10: Collision Detection Circuit

What happens when the ARX ASURO robot runs into something?  How does it know?

In this activity we build the collision detection circuit prototype. This circuit uses switches to detect when the robot has bumped into an object.

What is Collision Detection? How does it apply to our robot?

Unless we are building combat robots, we usually want our robot to avoid crashing into objects, mainly because either the robot or the object can be damaged.  There are many different devices used on robots to sense when an object is near, so it can be avoided.  Some of these include tactile or touch sensors, radar sensors, and temperature sensors.

Our robot uses a series of six switches which are categorized as tactile, because they must touch something before a signal is generated.  They are strategically located on the front and sides of the robot so that it can turn to the right or left and still sense when an object is in front of it.

By the end of this activity you will be able to:

Electronics Skills

1. Describe how switches operate
2. Describe how an interrupt input to a microcontroller works
3. Describe and demonstrate knowledge of voltage dividers
4. Describe and demonstrate knowledge of capacitors
5. Calculate the voltage drop across a resistor in a series circuit
6. Describe the difference between a series and parallel circuit
7. Describe the function of an analog to digital converter
8. Demonstrate knowledge and use of DC circuits
9. Describe and demonstrate knowledge of energy flow in a circuit
10. Demonstrate knowledge of Ohms Law

Math Skills

1. Use functions to solve practical problems
2. Simplify numerical expressions
3. Solve single variable algebraic expressions
4. Solve multiple variable algebraic expressions
5. Make comparisons, predictions, and inferences using graphs and charts
6. Organize and describe data using matrixes
7. Graph linear equations

Science Skills

1. Use knowledge of the particle theory of matter
2. Use knowledge of potential and kinetic energy
3. Use knowledge of heat and light energy
4. Use knowledge of principles of electricity and magnetism
5. Use knowledge of static electricity, current electricity, and circuits
6. Use knowledge of Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy

 Complete these steps.

1. Open Activity 10 Worksheet and review.
2. Read Chapter: 10 Collision Circuit in book
3. Review the other resources linked below.
4. Review and print the Collision Detection Circuit Diagram
5. View activity video: Collision Detection Circuit Prototype part 1
6. View activity video: Collision Detection Circuit Prototype part 2
7. Complete activities in the worksheet
8. Complete Assessments

Links to additional materials:

• ARX ASURO Manual
• Collision Detection Notes
• Calculate resistor values:  http://www.1728.org/resistrs.htm
• Voltage Divider Circuits
• Resistance in series and parallel circuits
• Capacitors
• Ohms Law Calculator http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/ohms_law_calculator.php
• Analog to Digital Converter: 

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