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Jan 01, 2013 Posted by Abhi Raj
For the disabled, and for those who have their hands full, a hands-free light source can be desirable. The goal of this project was to create a simple robotic flashlight that would follow its user around, rather than be carried
This robot follows an infrared beacon clipped to one of the user's shoes. The infrared light is generated by four infrared LEDs harvested from old TV remotes. The robot sits on two wheels from a K'nex set and moves using two small hobby motors controlled by the input from two infrared phototransistors to the bases of two NPN transistors. I wanted to use photoresistors rather than phototransistors, but I found that these have a very wide angle of sensitivity and are not exclusively sensitive to infrared light. They also contain the toxic metal cadmium, and proved difficult to find in shops. Phototransistors are similar in shape and size to standard LEDs, and infrared phototransistors are widely available. Resistors were needed to bias the transistor. The robot is activated by two switches, and powered by 3 AAs and 1 9V battery. Everything is housed in some PVC tubing, and rubber bands hold everything togethe
For the disabled, and for those who have their hands full, a hands-free light source can be desirable. The goal of this project was to create a simple robotic flashlight that would follow its user around, rather than be carried
This robot follows an infrared beacon clipped to one of the user's shoes. The infrared light is generated by four infrared LEDs harvested from old TV remotes. The robot sits on two wheels from a K'nex set and moves using two small hobby motors controlled by the input from two infrared phototransistors to the bases of two NPN transistors. I wanted to use photoresistors rather than phototransistors, but I found that these have a very wide angle of sensitivity and are not exclusively sensitive to infrared light. They also contain the toxic metal cadmium, and proved difficult to find in shops. Phototransistors are similar in shape and size to standard LEDs, and infrared phototransistors are widely available. Resistors were needed to bias the transistor. The robot is activated by two switches, and powered by 3 AAs and 1 9V battery. Everything is housed in some PVC tubing, and rubber bands hold everything togethe
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