Importance and Utility of Self-Balancing Robot

Self-balancing robots have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their ability to maintain stability and balance on two wheels. These robots are not only visually appealing but also have practical applications in areas such as transportation, surveillance, and entertainment. Understanding the principles behind self-balancing robots can help engineers and hobbyists develop innovative solutions in the field of robotics.

Project: Self-Balancing Robot

The self-balancing robot project aims to create a two-wheeled robot that can maintain its balance using sensors and control algorithms. The robot will be designed to stand upright and move in a controlled manner without toppling over. The key objectives of this project include:

1. Designing a mechanical structure that provides stability and balance.
2. Integrating sensors to measure the robot's tilt and acceleration.
3. Implementing control algorithms to adjust motor speeds and maintain balance.
4. Developing a user interface for controlling the robot's movements.

List of Components:

To build the self-balancing robot, the following components are required:

1. Arduino Uno - 1x: Link to purchase
2. MPU6050 Gyroscope and Accelerometer Module - 1x: Link to purchase
3. L298N Motor Driver Module - 1x: Link to purchase
4. DC Motors - 2x: Link to purchase
5. Wheels - 2x: Link to purchase
6. Chassis - 1x: Link to purchase
7. Battery Pack - 1x: Link to purchase
8. Jumper Wires - As required: Link to purchase

Examples:

Example 1: Initializing the MPU6050 Sensor

#include <Wire.h>
#include <MPU6050.h>

MPU6050 mpu;

void setup() {
  Wire.begin();
  mpu.initialize();
}

void loop() {
  // Read sensor data and perform calculations
  // ...
}

Example 2: Controlling Motor Speeds

#include <AFMotor.h>

AF_DCMotor motor1(1);
AF_DCMotor motor2(2);

void setup() {
  // Initialize motor pins
  motor1.setSpeed(0);
  motor2.setSpeed(0);
}

void loop() {
  // Adjust motor speeds based on control algorithm
  // ...
}

Example 3: Implementing Balance Control Algorithm

#include <PID_v1.h>

double Setpoint, Input, Output;
PID pid(&Input, &Output, &Setpoint, 1, 0, 0, DIRECT);

void setup() {
  // Initialize PID parameters
  pid.SetMode(AUTOMATIC);
  pid.SetSampleTime(10);
  pid.SetOutputLimits(-255, 255);
}

void loop() {
  // Update Input value with sensor data
  // Compute PID output and adjust motor speeds
  // ...
}