Swarm Robotics Workshop

Introduction

Kharagpur Robosoccer group in association with Robosoft systems introduces a two day workshops conceptualized around Wireless Communication between Robots at various centers around the country. The participants will learn about emerging technologies like Wireless Communication, Swarm Robotics and Microcontroller Programming in this workshop. Along with this, the participants will also be able to build an Autonomous Grid-solving Robot. This two day workshop will cover various practical activities along with the theoretical concepts covered throughout the sessions. The activities will be performed with the programmable research platform specially designed by Robosoft Systems. This platform includes a wireless communication module, microcontroller based board, programming tools, sensors, actuators. We believe the practical activities will enrich the Embedded C programming, PC hardware interfacing skills of the participants. Attending this workshop will drive your instinct to deliver in the domain of robotics and wireless communication.

These workshops have been designed keeping in mind the problem statements of Nexus, Techfest , IIT Bombay and The Fugitives , Robotix, Kshitij, IIT Kharagpur. Participation in these workshops will give an added advantage in these events.

Prerequisites

An online workshop manual will be provided to each workshop participant. The participating team must read the pre-workshop manual before coming to workshop. Those who have read and understood the workshop manual and know basic C language are eligible to attend the workshop.

Workshop Content

The workshop will cover following topics with hands on session in two days:

Day 1

Introduction to robot
AVR series Micro controllers
Programming AVR 
Interface of Sensors
Actuators
Motor drivers
Programming and running line following robot algorithms 
Introduction to swarm robots

Day 2

Wireless communication concepts
Working with CC2500 Wireless Transceiver module
Programming and running grid solving algorithms on robot
Communication between to robots
Detecting obstacle on the grid

The workshop is conducted for two consecutive days in 4 sessions, each session being 4 hour long. Each session time is equally distributed in theory accompanied by practical activities.

Each Successfully Registered team is expected to bring:

1. Their own lap top with windows XP/Vista installed OS. (Computers will be available at workshop venues, but it is advised to bring your own laptops)
2. Pre installed software-WinAVR, AVR Studio, PonyProg, Embedded C
3. Two 9V Battery.(Duracell or rechargeable 9vbattery or battery pack of 8 AA cell)

Insight on the different topics covered in the workshop:

Introduction to AVR
AVR series Micro controllers and architecture 
C programming 
introduction to AVR 
communication of micro controller and computer

Programming in embedded C will be the objective for this session. A due attention will be given to good programming practices without waste in time on mechanical construction. The practical activities will include writing programs for on-board and off board peripherals.

Actuators:

Details of various types of motors and actuators will be studied. Special attention will be imparted to DC & servo motors.

Mechanical grippers:

Grippers will be discussed here and various type of gripping method will be explained. Hands on sessions will include controlled driving of DC motors in different drive configurations.

Wireless Communication:

Different options for Wireless Communication
Specifications of CC2500 module
Different modes of operation of CC2500
Configuring CC2500 module
Serial Interfacing CC2500 with computer

This session will emphasize on the need of wireless communication, different ways to satisfy this need. One way to establish wireless communication using CC250 will be introduced in detail. Activities will include interfacing CC2500 to robot and Computer.

Grid solving:

Students will be taught various grid solving algorithm using embedded C and how to execute it by single machine or multiple machine.

Apart from this the following will also be covered:

Modifying codes and testing the robots on the actual grid.
Detecting blocks on the grid and tuning of sensors

Workshop Kit

The take-away kit includes:

The Controller board
Atmega16 AVR micro controller board 
On board EEPROM for storing data
Sensor mounting slot for TCRT digital Module
To connect 2 motor driver
5 LEDs for debugging
RS232 level shifter for direct communication with Computer
Interface mount with CC2500

Sensors
A 5 IR sensor array For line detection & junction detection
Obstacle detecting sensor for blocks

RF module
1- CC2500 RF module

AVR programmer

Chassis
PCB with motors and wheel will be the chassis

Non - take away components include:

1. Serial cable
2. USB to Serial converter
3. USB cable
4. Serial to CC2500 cable
5. 9v battery connector for CC2500
6. Screw driver

Registration

In order to proceed with your registration you are required to fill in your team detailshere . After registering deposit the amount (via DD only). DD should be made in the name of "Robosoft Systems" payable "Mumbai".
After registering a scanned copy of the DD should be mailed to workshops@robocup.in The following details should be written on the back side of the DD: Team id, Team Leader's name, Contact No., Workshop Center. Scanned copy of the dd should be mailed before the last date of registration. The mail of the scanned copy (front and back side) of the DD should be in following format:

Subject: <team id>, <workshop center>
Content: DD number, Team details (team member's name, email id, contact number)
Attachment: Scanned copy of the DD

The DD's will be collected by the local coordinators of each college. 
Your registration will be confirmed once we receive the scanned copy of the DD.

Click Here to Register