Programming Basics:
The goal of this particular test was to become familiar with the components of the automatic control system. The team did this by downloading and correctly setting up the AEV software in Arduino. Once this was completed, the team had to code basic functions and upload them through Arduino to the test motors. Additionally, the team learned that to properly run the software, Arduino had to be set to COM3 and labeled as “Arduino Nano.”
Equipment set-up for test:
Figure 4: Lab and AEV parts assembled
Progress Report:
At first, the group struggled to get any action from the motors. After changing around a few settings and physical arrangements, there were multiple successful runs of trial Scenario 1. In the very first one, the motors were slightly hesitant to actually power up, but for the following two runs the motors started, stopped, accelerated, and reversed perfectly as they were told.