Welcome to Arduino Robotics @FutureTechCamp!

Course Introduction

Welcome to the exciting world of Arduino robotics! This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of building and programming your own robots using the versatile Arduino microcontroller platform. Whether you're new to electronics and programming or have some prior experience, this course will provide you with the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge to bring your robotic creations to life.

Over the next few modules, we will explore everything from the basics of setting up your Arduino and writing your first lines of code to controlling motors, using sensors to perceive the environment, and developing algorithms for autonomous behavior. We'll combine theory with practical exercises, culminating in the construction and programming of your own robotic car.

Robotics is a multidisciplinary field that combines elements of computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. The Arduino platform, with its open-source hardware and software, provides an accessible and affordable entry point into this fascinating domain.

A Little Bit of History: The Arduino project was started in Ivrea, Italy, in 2005. The goal was to create a simple, low-cost tool for students without a background in electronics and programming to create interactive projects. The name "Arduino" comes from a bar in Ivrea, where some of the founders of the project used to meet. It's named after Arduin of Ivrea, who was King of Italy from 1002 to 1014.

We hope you find this course engaging and rewarding. Let's get started on our journey into robotics!

Table of Contents

Module 0: Setup - Proof of Life

• Connecting the Arduino board
• Navigating the Arduino IDE

Module 1: Turn Out the Lights - The "Blink" Sketch

• Introduction to Arduino programming structure: setup() and loop()
• Controlling digital outputs: pinMode(), digitalWrite()
• Introducing timing: delay()

Module 1b: Using a Breadboard and an External LED

• To the breadboards! Blinking an LED
• Building a circuit, adding a resistor

Module 2: Sensing the World - Ultrasonic Obstacle Detection

• Principles of ultrasonic distance measurement (echolocation)
• Interfacing with the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor

Module 3: Movement - Motor Control

• Introduction to DC motors
• Calibrating rotation direction

Module 4: Precision Movement - Servo Control

• Introduction to servo motors
• Interfacing with an SG90 servo motor
• Sweep the field of view

Module 5: Bringing It All Together - The Car Build

• Mechanical assembly of a autonomous car
• Integrating Arduino, L298n controller, Servo, Ultrasonic Sensor, & Power

Module 6: Intelligence - Algorithm Development and Optimization

• Designing basic robot behaviors (e.g., obstacle avoidance)
• Implementing decision-making in code
• Strategies for testing and debugging
• Optimizing code for efficiency and responsiveness
• Preparing for the Final Competition!

What You'll Need (all Materials will be provided)

• An Arduino Uno (or compatible board)
• A USB cable to connect the Arduino to your computer
• A computer with the Arduino IDE installed
• A breadboard
• Jumper wires
• LEDs
• Resistors (e.g., 220 Ohm for LEDs)
• An ultrasonic sensor (e.g., HC-SR04)
• DC motors (typically two for a small robot car)
• A motor driver (e.g., L298N module or a motor shield)
• A small servo motor (e.g., SG90)
• A robot car chassis (or materials to build one)
• A separate power supply for motors (e.g., a battery pack)

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Let's begin with Module 0 and bring your Arduino board to life!