What is KBI Control?
KBI Control is a system that was created by Evan Cihlar that allows a droid owner to equip their droid with an automated control system that allows them to have a free - roaming droid. The system consists of a KBI interface Arduino, sensors, and custom - made control boards. The system uses one Arduino Uno R3 as the main KBI interface. This R3 can be mounted in the dome, or the body (recommended). The Arduino connects into a pushbutton, ultrasonic sensor control board, Sabertooth 2x25 regenerative motor controller, and the periscope lift and rotation actuators.
KBI Control Interface
The main KBI Control Interface consists of an Arduino Uno R3. The R3 is uploaded with code that you will be able to get from GitHub later on. The Arduino connects into the ultrasonic sensor's board in the periscope, the periscope's lift and rotation actuators, as well as connecting into the Sabertooth motor controller. The motor controller is connected into the main interface that you are using (radio control) and KBI (AI). This allows full control of the droid without any I2C communication.
How it Works
KBI is a derivative of the basic obstacle avoiding robot. It uses the same concepts, and puts them into a larger, more practical scale. If you have ever seen an Arduino controlled obstacle avoiding robot, it is the same concept. The sensor for these small robots is mounted on a servo. This servo is replaced by the rotation actuator on the periscope. And the stand is the lift actuator. On the rod of the periscope, there is a small pushbutton that actuates the arduino's program. The radio system gets cut off except for control over stopping KBI, which allows the droid to roam by itself. When the ultrasonic sensor comes within 2 feet (24 inches) of an object, it will stop and do the following actions:
- Rotate the periscope to the left
- collect left side data
- rotate the periscope to the right
- collect right side data
- decide with the data which side will allow it to go the furthest distance
- turn to that direction by actuating one of the motors
- actuate the motors into the forward direction, increasing speed until sensing another object and slowing down so that it does not lock the motors/break them overtime.
I have not yet made a prototype of the system, but have started to upload code and build a prototype. I will make a video of the testing and upload it to youtube and here. I am hoping for the best, and if it does work I will send a prototype to the builder's council and hope for approval. If approval is given, I will make a part run with pre-programmed Arduinos and control boards. I am thinking $50/set. Please leave comments and feedback on what you think about this.
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Last Updated On: 3/8/17