File:Optimal multi-robot path planning.png

2016-05-26T05:17:52Z

A1660495:

Projects:2015s2-207 Tracking, Herding and Routing by Autonomous Smart Cars

2016-05-26T05:16:57Z

A1660495: /* Tracking Algorithm */

==Introduction==

To aid with the exploration of unknown environments, a platform consisting of a computer base, a quadcopter camera and multiple Arduino robots all communicating through WiFi was designed. The initial requirement of the project, known as tracking, involves tracking a particular mobile target represented by one Arduino robot and initiating a specific formation around it using the remainder of the Arduino robots. The second requirement, known as herding, requires the tracking Arduino robots to maintain the formation around the target object as the target object moves. The final requirement, known as routing, involves the navigation through an unknown environment to find the shortest path out of a maze.

==Project Hardware==

===Arduino Robots===

The Arduino Robot, shown in Figure 1, was selected to be the hardware representing the required smart car. The decision was made based on the fact that the unit is readily available in the market for a decent price and will save us the time and effort of developing hardware with similar functionality, enabling us to focus on the scope of this project.

The main features of the Arduino Robot include:
*Ready to use movement and control systems
*Two boards, the motor board for movement control and the control board to read in data from devices such as sensors to provide movement instructions
*Fully programmable using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
*ATmega32u4 microprocessor, which has a reasonable amount of computational power and on-board memory
*Additional on board memory space in case more storage space is required
*Multiple extension slots to easily allow the connection of devices such as sensors, WiFi adapters, gyroscopes and many more that are developed specifically for the Arduino systems
*Technical support readily available through online resources and forums on the Arduino official website

[[File: Arduino small.jpeg|Center|300px]]

Figure 1: The Arduino Robot

===Arduino WiFi Shield===

The Arduino WiFi Shield, shown in figures X and Y, was selected as the hardware used to establish the WiFi communication in the system. The primary reason for the selection is due to the ease of integration with the Arduino robot as it was designed specifically for the purpose of connecting the Arduino devices to the WiFi network and technical support is readily available if needed through the Arduino website.

The Arduino WiFi Shield allows an Arduino robot to connect to the internet using the 802.11b/g wireless specification which will allow transmission speeds up to 54 mbps. It supports both TCP and UDP transmission protocols however in this project, we will only use UDP due to it being a lot quicker than TCP and will result in much less latency.

[[File:WiFi front.jpg |300px]]
[[File:WiFi back.jpg |300px]]

Figure 2: Wifi Shield Front (Left) and Back (Right) View

===Computer Base===

The computer base was used as the central command unit of the smart cars. Its main function was to receive the input information from the camera via the communication system and process that as well as any other required information and transmit a set of instructions to the smart cars. The computer base was particularly important as the smart have very limited processing power so we intended to do all the processing on the computer and only send out the final results to the smart cars.

===IP Camera===

iPhone 6Plus camera was used as the IP Camera instead of the quadcopter due to environment restrictions.

==Software Development==

===Tracking Algorithm===

[[File:optimal multi-robot path planning.png]]

This is an algorithm used to calculate the minimum path for multi-robot. According to the calculation, 96 kinds (4 groups, 24kinds of possibilities in each group) will be considered and come out an minimum result for the summation of all the robots.

===WiFi Communication===

To be completed by Shunming

===Collision Avoidance Algorithm===

To be completed by Jianyang

===Object Detection===

To be completed by Nader

==Conclusion==

===Project Outcome===

===Future of the Project===

==Project Team==

===Team Members===

*Nader Madi
*Peiling Xian
*Jianyang Sun
*Shunming Li

===Project Supervisors===

* Dr. Peng Shi
* Dr Cheng-Chew Lim

===Technical Advisors===

* Hongjun Yu
* Dongzhe Wang (Semester 2 2015)
* Zhongrui Hu (Semester 1 2016)

Projects - User contributions [en]

File:Optimal multi-robot path planning.png

Projects:2015s2-207 Tracking, Herding and Routing by Autonomous Smart Cars