Track Variance
In this lab, track variance was being tested. To do so, the minimal amount of power supplied to the motors to climb inclines and the braking for the downward inclines was determined.
To test this, different combinations of motor power and time the motors were running were tested one after the other, until they AEV just barely reached the top of the track.
To test the downward track variance, motor speeds were determined to see the minimum amount of power was required to prevent the AEV from falling off the track.
Data was calculated on a test-to-test basis to see which run would yield the most optimal results.
The same code was used throughout testing, the only thing changed were the time the motors went for.
Servo Calibration
To see the potential the Servo could serve for the AEV, we tested the braking capabilities of the Servo. We needed to determine which angle the arms of the Servo needed to be placed at, and how the Servo could potentially serve as a brake. Braking distances were determined from the AEV, as well as how effective this is as an alternative to reversing the motors.
Testing revealed that the Servo, when calibrated correctly, could potentially be very useful in regards to braking. However, the Servo is somewhat difficult to use and manipulate, and therefore could prove to be a hindrance to Team L’s AEV’s development.
Battery Variance Testing
It became clear after consistent testing that the Arduino motor seemed to be inconsistent throughout our time working with the AEV. After collaboration with other groups, it appeared that this was not the cause of using the goFor(); function instead of utilizing the reflectance sensors. Team L decided that perhaps it could be the fault of the battery giving inconsistent power to the motors, and therefore different distance travelled.
To test this, team L used a simple code to have the AEV travel at a consistent power for a consistent time. Testing proved to show that in an average class scenario, with about 10 runs from the start of class to the end of it, showed true inconsistency, with the AEV travelling from a range of under 10 inches to over 10 inches from the original distance. It did not appear that battery had a direct impact on the consistency of the AEV, yet it did not fully support our thesis.
