We designed an Obstacle Sensing Robot (OSR) as part of our Mini Project at the Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India. Obstacle Sensing Robot, OSR, is capable of detecting various objects in its path using the ultrasonic sensor attached to the OSR at the front. When it detects the presence of an object while working, OSR is able to avoid collision with that object and change its path automatically. Arduino Uno, Motor Driver L298N and Battery Operated Motors are the components used for the OSR. Two motors are used to power the wheels attached to the OSR at the back. Motor driver drives these motors. This motor driver gets its input from Arduino, which is connected to ultrasonic sensor. As soon as ultrasonic sensor in OSR detects an object, the Arduino will change the inputs of motor driver accordingly and so direction of motor will change accordingly.

 

Further, after successful completion of Obstacle Sensing Robot, OSR, a Maze Solving Robot, MSR, was implemented.  Maze Solving Robot (MSR) uses the same hardware as used in OSR. It is capable to solve mazes and come out of mazes on its own without any external help. The required code was developed for the MSR. The MSR is capable of solving the mazes on its own without any external intervention. Different algorithms can also be uploaded to Arduino to solve mazes of different difficulties.

 

Both the Obstacle Sensing Robot (OSR) and Maze Solving Robot (MSR) worked perfectly. The ultrasonic sensor is capable of detecting any obstacle that comes in front of it very precisely. Arduino is capable of processing the data it receives from the sensor and depending upon the processed data it is able to run the motors by using motor driver. The motor driver also prevents the motors from getting damaged. The OSR sensed the obstacles and changed its path. This has many possible applications. It can be easily implemented in vehicles for safety purposes. The biggest advantage of this is its low cost and accurate performance. It can also be used in cleaning robots that run automatically without any human intervention. The MSR was also able to solve the maze using right hand rule (wall following method) to complete the maze. Different algorithms can also be implemented to solve more complex mazes.