This was my first ever robotics project, and it motivated me to continue to dive deeper into the field! The project involved designing and programming an autonomous line-following robot equipped with a custom scooping mechanism to pick up, transport, and drop off objects at a designated location.

The robot navigated a game board, following the line using infrared sensors, scooping up caps, and maneuvering around obstacles to drop them off on the other side of the wall. Throughout the project, I gained hands-on experience with Arduino programming, integrating infrared sensors and DC and servo motors, and designing a functional scoop mechanism using linkage design software.

The robot utilized a skid steer drive system with a caster ball wheel for balance and enhanced maneuverability. The scoop mechanism was designed using linkage software, allowing a single servo motor to efficiently control the scooping action. I programmed the robot in the Arduino IDE, integrating sensors and motors to adjust speed and direction in real time. This enabled the robot to follow the line with precision and agility, ensuring smooth navigation and efficient object handling.

The project was a great success, with the robot effectively following the line, scooping up objects, and delivering them to the target location! The skid steer design provided excellent control and agility, while the scoop mechanism performed reliably with the single servo motor. This project not only met the functional goals but also gave me valuable hands-on experience in robotics design and programming, solidifying my interest in pursuing more complex robotic systems in the future.