/Intro-to-AI-in-Robotics

"Introduction to AI in Robotics" tutorial series material

Primary LanguageC++

Introduction-to-AI-in-Robotics

Welcome to the "Introduction to AI in Robotics" tutorial series!

Media

All assynchronous material can be found here, while the live sessions are going to be uploaded into society's YouTube Channel (UCL Artificial Intelligence Society).

Remember to check our Facebook channel for the link of the live session (AISoc.ucl).

If you have any questions, you can send them to us on (Discord).

Syllabus

  1. Phase 1: Obstacle Avoidance Robot
    • Lesson 1: Common Structure
    • Lesson 2: Microcontrollers and Arduino Uno
    • Lesson 3: Arduino programming
    • Lesson 4: Actuators and Sensors
    • Lesson : Putting everything together
  2. Phase 2: Maze solving Robot
  3. Phase 3: Introduction to Webots simulation software
  4. Phases 4-5: Webots: Project Breakdown

Timeline

Title Date
Phase 1 material release 1 Feb
Additional material for Phase 1 release 8 Feb
Live session for Phase 1 challenge + Phase 2 material release 15 Feb
Live session for Phase 2 challenge + Phase 3 material release 1 Mar
Live session for Phase 3 challenge + Phase 4 material release 8 Mar
Live session for Phase 4 challenge 15 Mar

Equipment

In the normal setting, the tutorial series would require physical components. However, due to the current pandemic situation, learners without bot kits are not going to be disadvantaged, as the practical part for the Phases 1-2 can be completed with Tinkercad circuit simulator. Although, having physical kits is encouraged.

Part Price (pounds) Link
Arduino UNO 19.15 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/arduino-uno-rev3-smd.html
L293D motor shield 8.30 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/l293d-motor-drive-shield.html
2WD robot chassis 14.50 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/2wd-beginner-robot-chassis-v2-red-old.html
HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor 1.39 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/hc-sr04-ultrasonic-range-finder-tys.html
9g micro servo motor 3.29 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/9g-micro-servo-motor-4-8v.html
Battery holder (4xAA) 0.54 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/battery-holder-4xaa-flat.html
4xAA batteries (any generic ones) 1.62 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/tenergy-15v-alkaline-aa-batteries-4pk.html
Dual female Jumper wires 1.85 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/40-pin-dual-female-splittable-jumper-wire-30cm.html
2 IR sensors 2x3.59 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/infrared-reflective-sensor.html
Ultrasonic sensor holder (optional) 1.80 https://www.robotshop.com/uk/jsumo-ultrasonic-sensor-bracket.html

Alternative Parts

As some of you have noted, there are some parts in the list that might not be available. Therefore, we are providing you with a list of alternative parts and suppliers that are going to be updated on a daily basis.

If you have found a more reasonable option (for example, your local supplier with shorter delivery time, etc.), but don't know whether that part is suitable, you can post your question on Discord under Robotics Tutorial Series channel. We are more than happy to help you!

Part Supplier (price)
Arduino UNO Cool Components (19.19), Amazon (20.40)
Motor shield* Robo Savvy (22.62), Amazon (5.88), Cool Components (25.19)
Ultrasonic sensor Robo Savvy (3.10), Amazon (3.63), Cool Components (2.75)
Robot chassis Robo Savvy (13.10), Amazon (11.10)
2 IR sensors Amazon (2x4.99)
9g micro servo motor Robo Savvy (5.10), Amazon (6.49)

*L298P motor shields function a bit differently than L293D as they only support 2 DC motors, and don't have specific libraries (pin initialization process has to be done manually). On the other hand, it is sufficient for our series, and learners who choose this kind of shield, are going to be supported.

Software

There are two pieces of software that are mainly going to be used throughout the series - Tinkercad circuit simulator and Webots.