ASURO
| ASURO | |
|---|---|
 ASURO fully assembled |
|
| Type | autonomous mobile robot |
| Kit | |
| Manufacturer | Arexx (development by DLR) |
| Technical specifications | |
| Actuators | 2 drive wheels, 4 LEDs |
| Sensors | 2 floor sensors, 6 buttons, 2 odometry |
| computer | ATmega8 |
| communication |
Infrared |
| energy | 4 batteries |
| measures and weight | |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 45 × 122 × 117 mm |
| Weight | 165 g |
ASURO is a freely programmable robot in C , which was developed by the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics (at the German Aerospace Center ) in Oberpfaffenhofen and distributed by Arexx Engineering. ASURO is the acronym for A nother S mall and U nique R obot from O berpfaffenhofen .
construction
The ASURO is a kit and consists for the most part of commercially available electronic components. There is a detailed assembly instruction with circuit diagram and soldering instructions , which can also be followed by a beginner. It takes about eight hours to set up an ASURO. For experienced people, the assembly is also possible in a shorter time.
Required equipment
The following tools are required:
- Soldering iron, tin solder, desoldering braid
- hacksaw if necessary
- Pliers
- Sandpaper
- Superglue
- PC ( Windows or Linux ) with serial ( RS-232 ) interface. A USB adapter can also be used as an option .
programming
The ASURO in the programming language is programmed C . A suitable cross compiler and other necessary tools for Linux and Windows are supplied on a CD. In principle, programming in any other programming language is also possible, as the Atmel microcontroller used , an ATmega8L , is widely used. A manual for the programming language is also included on the CD, so that you do not need any basic knowledge of C programming.
Features
Sensors
- 2 light sensors for line tracking
- 6 buttons
- 2 light barriers for odometry
Actuators
- 2 motors controllable in any direction and speed
- 4 LEDs for status display, one of which is two-colored (red, green, mixed yellow)
Others
- Battery holder for 4 batteries or rechargeable batteries of the type AAA (micro)
- 8- bit - microcontroller ATmega8
- 8 kB flash memory , 1 kB of which is already used by the bootloader
- An infrared interface that can be used to transfer data to and from a personal computer. This infrared transmitting and receiving diode unit can also be used for vertical distance measurement (or for horizontal distance measurement after converting the sensors).
Extensions
The standard sensors are 6 touch sensors and 2 light sensors (with LED). However, these can be removed and replaced by almost any other extensions in the sensor technology. Temperature sensors , ultrasonic sensors , sound sensors and a camera that allows the ASURO to follow light sources have already been tested .
The engineers at DLR also carried out experiments with magnetic sensors , but they failed because the motors were emitting too much magnetic interference.
Typical tasks
- Follow a line
- Avoid obstacles
- Driving figures
Commitment and importance
The ASURO was originally designed for an experiment by the DLR School Lab , during which a group of normally four students soldered it together, programmed it and then took it home with them.
Due to its great success with the students and after many inquiries, it has also been available in stores for some time. It occupies a special place among home robots due to its low price (approx. 50 € / as of 2012-11). This makes it one of the cheapest freely programmable home robots.
Didactic importance
The ASURO offers various possibilities for designing a lesson.
- From a technical point of view, the practical work by assembling the circuit board is interesting for a technology lesson or seminar courses with a focus on electrotechnology, since the electrotechnical basics, i.e. active and passive basic circuits, can be discussed here.
- Another technical aspect would be to design lightweight wooden bodies.
- In computer science lessons, the basics of programming can be learned, supported by planning and structural elements such as program flow chart (PAP) and structure diagram.
- Programming tasks that are initially simple and become more complex enable a differentiated introduction to microcontroller programming.
All work and learning processes can be carried out in a student-oriented, self-directed lesson in specialist modules or thematic epochs.
See also
Web links
- Website of the DLR School Lab
- ASURO at the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics at DLR
- Special wiki about ASURO
- ASURO libraries and demo programs
- Manufacturer's website
- Program ASURO with the help of state diagrams