EXTENSIONS

There are so many possibilities when it comes to creating a robot, that we could not possibly come up with a comprehensive list of the possible extensions to the robot project. So instead, we will list some that we had intended to include, some that we thought about including (some extremely briefly), and some links of information with regard to robotics.

Path Following - Design the robot such that it will follow a path (i.e. tape) that is on the floor.

Cliff Detection - Had we had approximately two more hours, this would have been implemented. Basically it would use the opposite idea of the object detection. Have an IR transmitter and receiver on the underside of the robot pointing downward and forward at approximately a 45 degree angle. If there the IR receiver is getting a signal back, then ok to proceed, if not, there must be a cliff/drop-off of some sort ahead.

Tilt Detection and Alarm - Use the accelerometer to detect if the robot has fallen over some-how. If so, sound an alarm on the speaker. Again, this would have been implemented, if we either had a little more time, or had spent less time on the UI.

Path Programming - If the UI had been implemented, then this probably would have been as well. Allow the user to program in a predetermined path, and the robot would follow it, so long as no objects were in the way, and it wouldn't fall down some stairs.

Light Detection - We actually had purchased the parts to complete this, but again, ran out of time (this appears to be the theme with regards to the project... perhaps we just wanted to include too much). Using photoresistors, detect the amount of light present, and if below a certain level, then turn on a bright LED (as a headlamp).

Make the User Interface a Separate Unit - Using RF to communicate with the robot, have the user-interface as a hand-held module separate from the actual robot.

Integrated Vacuum / Cleaning System - I hate vacuuming my apartment, what if my robot could do it for me?

Micromouse - create the functionality to have our robot find its way through a maze (conforming to the rules/standards of the IEEE Micromouse competition).