Building an Advanced Lion Follower Robot Building an Advanced Lion Follower Robot with Integrated Obstacle Avoidance In this article, we will guide you through the process of building an advanced Lion Follower robot that integrates obstacle avoidance capabilities. This project utilizes a custom-designed PCB specifically made for this build. Components Required Custom PCB (integrates Arduino, buck converter, L298N motor driver, and OLED display) IR sensor PCB (includes ultrasonic sensors) 25 GA Dir motors Hex couplers L-mounts for secure motor attachment 5mm PVC whiteboard for the chassis Assembling the IR Sensor PCB Attach the TCRT5000 and ultrasonic sensor to the IR sensor PCB. Mount the IR sensor PCB to the chassis. Assembling the Main PCB Board Attach the main PCB board to the chassis. Connect the boost module to the bottom of the chassis. Connect the T connector at the input of the boost module. Connect the output of the boost module to the power input of the main PCB. Connect motor terminals with the main PCB board. Connect the power supply to the main PCB. Connecting Sensors and Motors Connect IR sensor pins with the main PCB of line follower robot. Attach wheels to the motors. Coding and Programming The code for this project includes libraries such as U8glib for graphic displays and NewPing for ultrasonic distance sensors. Pin 4 is used for both trigger and echo, and the sensor's maximum distance is set to 40 centimeters. The threshold is set to 500, which is the value used for digital conversion of the IR sensor value. Line Following Code If the robot is centered on the line and sensors 2 or 3 detect the line, it proceeds to line following logic. If an obstacle is detected, the robot calls the obstacle avoid function and activates the obstacle avoidance code from the sonar sensor tab. Uploading Code to Arduino Select the board as Arduino Nano and choose the proper processor (in this case, ATmega328 old bootloader). Upload the code. Press button 2 to show sensor values on the OLED display or press button 1 to activate line following mode. Robot Building Robot building is an emerging field that combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and construction technology to design, fabricate, and assemble buildings using robotic systems. This innovative approach aims to transform the construction industry by increasing efficiency, reducing labor costs, and improving building quality. Background The concept of robot building has its roots in the early 2000s, when researchers began exploring the use of robotic systems in construction. The idea gained momentum with advancements in robotics, AI, and computer-aided design (CAD) software. Today, robot building is being developed and tested by researchers, architects, and engineers worldwide. Introduction Hardware Components Component Description Microcontroller Arduino Mega or equivalent, used for processing and controlling the robot's movements. Sensors Infrared sensors (IR) for obstacle detection, ultrasonic sensor for distance measurement, and a camera for visual tracking. Actuators Dual DC motors with gearboxes for locomotion, and servo motors for controlling the camera's pan-tilt mechanism. Battery and Power Supply Rechargeable Li-ion battery (12V, 5000mAh) and a voltage regulator to supply power to the robot's components. Software Components Component Description Programming Language C++ or equivalent, used for developing the robot's firmware. Computer Vision Library OpenCV or equivalent, used for image processing and object detection. Motion Control Algorithm Proprietary algorithm using sensor data to control the robot's movements and maintain a set distance from the target. System Architecture The Lion Follower Robot consists of three primary modules: 1. Sensor Module Collects and processes data from the infrared, ultrasonic, and camera sensors. 2. Processing Module Runs the computer vision library and motion control algorithm to determine the robot's movements. 3. Actuator Module Controls the dual DC motors, servo motors, and other actuators to execute the determined movements. Implementation and Testing The Lion Follower Robot is implemented using a combination of C++ programming language, OpenCV library, and Arduino Mega microcontroller. The system is tested in various environments to ensure its performance and accuracy. Q1: What is an Advanced Lion Follower Robot? An Advanced Lion Follower Robot is a robotic system designed to follow and mimic the behavior of a lion, using advanced sensors, AI algorithms, and mechanical components. Q2: What are the main components of an Advanced Lion Follower Robot? The main components include a robotic body, advanced sensors (e.g., GPS, cameras, microphones), AI-powered processing unit, and actuators for movement and manipulation. Q3: How does the robot follow a lion? The robot uses computer vision and machine learning algorithms to detect and track the lion's movements, adjusting its own position and speed accordingly. Q4: What kind of sensors are used in an Advanced Lion Follower Robot? The robot is equipped with a range of sensors, including GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes, cameras, microphones, and lidar or radar for obstacle detection. Q5: How does the robot mimic lion behavior? The robot uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the lion's behavior and adjust its own movements and actions to simulate the lion's behavior, such as walking patterns or hunting strategies. Q6: What is the purpose of building an Advanced Lion Follower Robot? The robot can be used for wildlife research, conservation efforts, and educational purposes, providing insights into lion behavior and habitat. Q7: How does the robot handle challenging terrain or obstacles? The robot is designed with advanced navigation systems, including mapping algorithms and sensor data fusion, to adapt to changing environments and overcome obstacles. Q8: Can an Advanced Lion Follower Robot be controlled remotely? Yes, the robot can be controlled remotely using a wireless communication system, allowing researchers or operators to adjust its behavior or intervene if necessary. Q9: What are some potential applications of an Advanced Lion Follower Robot in conservation efforts? The robot can be used for monitoring lion populations, tracking habitat health, and detecting signs of poaching or human-wildlife conflict. Q10: How long does it take to build an Advanced Lion Follower Robot? The development time can vary depending on the complexity of the design and the expertise of the team, but a rough estimate is several months to a few years. Rank Pioneers/Companies Description 1 Boston Dynamics (USA) Developed the "BigDog" robot, a precursor to advanced lion follower robots, with funding from DARPA. 2 Carnegie Mellon University (USA) Researchers at CMU's Robotics Institute have developed various autonomous robotic systems, including ones that could be adapted for lion following. 3 Sony (Japan) Developed the "AIBO" robot dog, which used AI and sensors to navigate and interact with its environment, laying groundwork for advanced robotic followers. 4 MIT CSAIL (USA) Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have worked on various autonomous robotics projects, including ones related to animal-robot interaction. 5 UBTech Robotics (China) Developed the "Walker X" robot, a humanoid robot that can walk and interact with its environment, demonstrating potential for advanced robotic followers. 6 SoftBank Robotics (Japan) Developed the "Pepper" robot, a humanoid robot that uses AI to recognize and respond to human emotions, which could be adapted for lion following. 7 NVIDIA (USA) Developed various AI computing platforms and tools, including ones used in autonomous robotics and computer vision, which could be applied to advanced lion follower robots. 8 The Robot Operating System (ROS) Community (Global) Developed an open-source software framework for building robot applications, including ones related to autonomous navigation and sensor integration. 9 Stanford University's Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Lab (USA) Researchers at Stanford have developed various robotic systems inspired by nature, including ones that could be adapted for lion following. 10 ETH Zurich's Robotics Systems Lab (Switzerland) Developed various autonomous robotic systems, including ones related to animal-robot interaction and environment adaptation. Component Description Technical Details Lion Follower Robot Body The robot's body is designed to resemble a lion, with a sturdy structure and a metallic finish. Made from aluminum alloy (6061-T6), the body measures 24 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and 8 inches in height. It weighs approximately 15 pounds. Actuation System The actuation system enables the robot to move its limbs and tail. Utilizes 12 high-torque servo motors (Dynamixel AX-18A), with a rotation range of 0° to 300°. Each motor is connected to a custom-designed gearbox, providing a gear ratio of 1:100. Locomotion System The locomotion system allows the robot to move around and follow its target. Features four wheels with rubber tires ( diameter: 4 inches), each connected to a DC motor (Maxon RE-25) via a gearbox. The motors provide a maximum speed of 1.5 feet per second. Sensor Suite The sensor suite enables the robot to detect and track its target. Comprises a combination of sensors, including: 2 x RGB cameras (Logitech C920) with a resolution of 1080p at 30fps 1 x Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera (Intel RealSense D435) for depth perception 1 x 9-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor (Bosch BNO055) Computer Vision System The computer vision system processes visual data from the sensors to detect and track the target. Runs on a NVIDIA Jetson TX2 module, utilizing OpenCV for image processing and feature detection. The system can detect and track objects at a distance of up to 10 feet. Control System The control system enables the robot to make decisions based on sensor data. Implemented using ROS (Robot Operating System) and Python, with a custom-designed state machine for decision-making. The system processes data from the sensors at 30Hz.