Conclusion / Results


For the Design Expo we had to tie the edge sensors to ground because they would trigger interrupts at inappropriate times. After an unfortunate setback, we had to get ride of the front edge sensor because it had ceased functioning correctly (either due to frayed wires or from being fried we suspect). One of our most challenging bugs was that the car would get stuck waiting for commands, which would result in us watching the car wander aimlessly or get stuck driving in a circle. We attempted a variety of solutions to this problem. Every time we were convinced we finally fixed it, the car continued to freeze. Ultimately, we determined that the on car radio was getting interference from the wheel motors. The on board signals would interfere with the incoming radio signals and this would result in the on-car radio failing, forcing the car to repeat its last received instruction. We ultimately resolved this problem by moving the radio as far from the wheel motors as possible, but if we had to start over the radio would go on top ... just like every other RC car ever made.

Our project was implemented quite well with the components we had, with little need for additional processing power. However, something we did need was more GPIO pins. The CC250 radio used 11 of the 24 possible breakout pins, and by the end of the project we were using all of the 24 available pins. When we first started planning our efforts for this project, we assumed we would need to cut a decent amount of our original ideas due to time constraints. As it turned out, through hours upon hours of weeks of combined hard work, we were able to accomplish pretty much everything we had set out to do from the beginning.

Given more time (and more breakout pins) our next steps would have been:

  • - adding additional edge sensors

  • - implementing sonic sensors to avoid walls and other hazards

  • - adding to the functionality and precision of the CMU camera


Special Thanks


Ultimately none of this would have been possible without the help of the ridiculously awesome course staff

  • To Darren, Pat, and Lohit: your guidance and wisdom was invaluable. Big ups, Thank you!

  • To Dr. Brehob and Dr. Smith: for teaching us everything we have learned from this class and supporting such an
          enjoyable project, all of your efforts have made this an unforgettable semester! Thank you!