John Y. Hung

The Robotic Cart: A Junior-Year Laboratory Project

Junior-year students in ELEC 3040 (Laboratory IV) design control electronics for an autonomous mobile robot that follows a black-white edge.

Shown above is one of the earlier systems, built on a plastic sheet chassis.
Two main drive wheels are actuated by separate dc motors.
The rear of the cart is supported by a small third wheel.
Steering is achieved by a difference in drive wheels' speeds.


In more recent projects, the chassis is built with LEGO elements.
The cart pictured above was designed by Michael Algood and Erica Smith,
and is the first one to use an automotive-style steering mechanism (below).

The systems are controlled by a single-chip microcontroller. Students study system modeling, computer simulation, microcontroller systems, sensors, feedback principles, energy conversion principles, power electronics, and system integration issues.

Other aspects of the course include development of oral and written communication, study of team-based engineering processes, and discussion of professional engineering ethics (using "The Ethics Challenge" game by Lockheed Martin Corp).

CLICK HERE or HERE to see more pictures ...

Related publications

  1. T. Roppel, J. Y. Hung, S. M. Wentworth, and A. S. Hodel, "An interdisciplinary laboratory sequence in electrical and computer engineering: Curriculum design and assessment results," IEEE Transactions on Education, Special Issue on Assessment, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 143-152, May 2000.
  2. J. Y. Hung, "An integrated junior-Year laboratory based on an autonomous mobile robot platform," ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education '98 Conference, Tempe, AZ, November 4-7, 1998.
  3. J. Y. Hung and S. M. Wentworth, "An integrated approach for Electrical Engineering laboratories," ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education '98 Conference, Tempe, AZ, November 4-7, 1998.

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Last updated 30 November 2004