Introduction
The objectives of the FailureBot project originated simply as "build a line-following robot". However, it somehow evolved into a 3-year robotics experiment. My first attempt to build a robot was such a complete failure that I jokingly called it "FailureBot". The name seemed quite appropriate even as the project evolved as every one of the many, many failures yielded a critical lesson in the robot-building process.
For me, hobby robotics is about creativity. I didn't want to throw a couple sensors on a robot kit, I wanted to build it from the ground up. Looking through catalogs, reading datasheets, and building the robot within the constraints of my limited resources was the ultimate experience. Much of this robot is built from raw materials and hardware available at local hardware stores-- and done so on a very limited budget. Throughout the process, I kept a couple of concepts in mind:
Close enough is good enough. I'm not a NASA engineer, I'm a hobbyist. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to work. This is especially true considering that my "workshop" is merely a bedroom floor and a Dremel rotary tool. I don't have the facilities to make straight cuts or aligned holes. Improvise.
The overall goal is to learn and discover. When it felt like I was re-inventing the wheel I just reminded myself that I was learning how the wheel was invented.
Work within your means. I would often get discouraged by what I see other people building--making molds, welding, etc. I don't have those resources nor a large budget. A roboticist shouldn't be thinking about how it is supposed to be done, but how it could be done considering the elements.
{text:bookmark-start} {text:bookmark-end} Line Following Robots
A line-following robot, or "line follower" is a pretty common type of robot for hobbyists. Robotics competitions usually have a line-following event. The line is usually a black line about 3/4" wide,...