Lab 1
Comment on the performance of the electric motors (i.e., in scenario 1 line 1, did the propeller begin to rotate at the start of the program or was there resistance observed in the motor to rotate the propeller at low speeds?).
The motor was able to accomplish the task of the Arduino code. Our group did experience resistance regarding commands triggering. The resistance was insignificant and did not have a profound impact on the performance of the Arduino. At the low speeds, the Arduino did run well.
Lab 2
Discuss how the commands used in this lab may limit the success of the AEV in its completion of the scenario Hint: by applying the brake command, will an AEV stop right away?
The AEV brake function does not work instantly and the fans take a second to break. This allows for the entire AEV to glide down the track a little bit further than anticipated. The inability to stop lowers the accuracy of knowing the position for when the AEV stops. This will need to be accounted for within our code. If the AEV was used on a monorail to pick up people to transport from place to place, it would need to stop at an exact location not close because the error could be detrimental.
Upload a picture of your sensors secured to the AEV correctly.
Describe the function of the reflectance sensors and their importance in completing the MCR.
The primary function of the reflectance sensors in the use of this project is to record the distance and speed of the AEV. This is done by placing the wheels in front of the sensors since the wheels are built with reflective tape around the circumference of the wheel. This allows the infrared sensors to record what are called marks, and 8 marks make a full revolution of the wheel. Therefore, this information provided by the reflectance sensor can be used to record distance and speed according to the number of revolutions and the time between each one. This is useful for the MCR because it provides each team with an amount of important information regarding the AEV path of travel.
Lab 3
Provide the following figures and tables:
-A plot of Power vs. Time
–A plot of Power vs. Distance
-A plot of Energy vs Time
-A plot of Energy vs Distance
Provide an explanation for the figures and what they are representing (Hint: refer to the Arduino Code).
There is always power as long as the motor is running which is shown in the first graph. When the graph goes back to the x-intercept that is the point where all motors are in a state of break. Whenever the motor moved it required power, therefore, there was always power when the AEV moved a distance. The energy is always increasing because the motor is continually moving, therefore, energy continues to be used. At points, the motorspeed is not going as fast so there are dips in the slope of the curve for energy. The graphs are increasing because energy is always being used.
Upload code associated with these plots.
Lab 3:
//Accelerate all motors from start to 25% in 3 seconds.
celerate(4,0,25,3);
//Run all motors at a constant speed (25% power) for 1 second.
motorSpeed(4,25);
goFor(1);
//Run all motors at 20% power for 2 seconds.
motorSpeed(20);
goFor(2);
//Reverse all motors.
reverse(4);
//Run all motors at a constant speed (25% power) for 2 second.
motorSpeed(4,25);
goFor(2);
//Brake all motors.
brake(4);