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Learn Robotics Programming

You're reading from   Learn Robotics Programming Build and control autonomous robots using Raspberry Pi 3 and Python

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Product type Paperback
Published in Nov 2018
Publisher Packt
ISBN-13 9781789340747
Length 472 pages
Edition 1st Edition
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Concepts
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Author (1):
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Danny Staple Danny Staple
Author Profile Icon Danny Staple
Danny Staple
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Table of Contents (21) Chapters Close

Preface 1. Introduction to Robotics 2. Exploring Robot Building Blocks - Code and Electronics FREE CHAPTER 3. Introducing the Raspberry Pi - Starting with Raspbian 4. Preparing a Raspberry Pi for a Robot - Headless by Default 5. Backing Up the Code with Git and SD Card Copies 6. Building Robot Basics - Wheels, Power, and Wiring 7. Drive and Turn - Moving Motors with Python 8. Programming Line-Following Sensors Using Python 9. Programming RGB Strips in Python 10. Using Python to Control Servo Motors 11. Programming Distance Sensors with Python 12. Programming Encoders with Python 13. Robot Vision - Using a Pi Camera and OpenCV 14. Voice Communication with a Robot Using Mycroft 15. Programming a Gamepad on Raspberry Pi with Python 16. Taking Your Robot Programming Skills Further 17. Planning Your Next Robot Project - Putting It All Together 18. Assessments 19. Other Books You May Enjoy Appendix

Painting the test track

To test our sensors and our code, you will need a test track. A test track for line-following needs to be a thick, continuous line, in a loop. It must not have any sharp turns and it's probably best it doesn't cross anywhere. Curving bends are good.

The thickness should be around 15 mm. The more consistent this is, the easier it will be for your robot—my own has a few curves that are too thick! Beware of this. This needs to be as close to a solid consistent black as you can manage. The contrast here is important. Any gaps may cause the robot to misbehave. The line should ideally be matte black, that is, not shiny as, if it's too shiny, it will still reflect enough light to be treated as white.

The next photo shows you how to draw or paint a test track:

Drawing the test track

In the previous photo, I've started by making two outlines...

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