Progress Devlog 1 - Phoenix 1:

If you saw my previous devlog, you should know what Phoenix 1 is. However, if you didn’t read it(Which you probably should :) ) you’re probably wondering: What is Phoenix 1?

Well, it’s an obstacle avoidance robot that is known as an SAR(Search & Rescue). It uses sensor pads featuring thermal and ultrasonic sensors to navigate its way through tough terrain. It also uses things like a servo to drive its way through rubble and save lives!

Today(Or maybe another day when you read this) I worked on my motor drivers and motors, and implemented a smart-driving system that utilizes specific readings that it is trained to recognize to understand how to maneuver itself through those places. I used Binary Code for this to implement a less than, and more than {distance} system. Here’s basically what I did in python:

def process_distances_to_flags(front, left, right, back):
    # 1 if less than threshold (blocked), 0 if clear
    f_blocked = 1 if front < 150 else 0
    l_blocked = 1 if left < 150 else 0
    r_blocked = 1 if right < 145 else 0
    b_blocked = 1 if back < 150 else 0
    
    return [f_blocked, l_blocked, r_blocked, b_blocked]

# Example: If your live readings are [400, 120, 80, 400]
processed_data = process_distances_to_flags(400, 120, 80, 400)
print(processed_data) 
# Output will be: [0, 1, 1, 0]

I still have a way to go before I finish, but I feel like I have good progress. Also, if you can, please try to explain why a 12 V DC Motor doesn’t work, even though I have the right wirings with my L298N motor drivers(Lwk stuck here). This is still what I have on my checklist though to complete for my SAR:

• Implementing Smart-Terrain Driving - Partial
• Fix the Motors - Partial
• Get a Ras Pi Camera, as well as a Hailo 10h(Separate VRAM hardware) for YOLO(See my What’s YOLO devlog for more!)
• Get a Power module & Thermal sensors
• Design Sensor Pads and Test PCBs(KiCad is what I use)