PC, control software, electronic components Basic STAMP development board
Selection of transducers
Stepper motors
Library resources

LUNT Karl, 2000, Build your own robot!, A K Peters, ISBN 1568811020
SCHULER Charles A, 1986, Industrial electronics and robotics, McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0070556253

An in-course written assignment 3000 words, will include the building of an animatronic system that can react to the environment and be programmed by the student to respond to external inputs such as motion, sound etc. This will assess learning outcomes 1 to 4.

BASIC STAMP microprocessor control
Inputs:-switches, potentiometers, light sensor and methods of interfacing: filtering, amplifying and biasing
Outputs:-LEDs, control the brightness of light, simple motor driver and its speed control
Feedback through potentiometers
Stepper motors

Lectures-24 hours
Tutorials-12 hours
A good range of sensors will be investigated, including: sound level, potentiometers, motion sensors, shaft encoders, and micro switches will be thoroughly investigated and the student will be able to choose a sensor to allow an animatronic device to react with its environment e.g. reflex actions. Various outputs including lighting and motors along with methods of controlling them will be studied along with some practical example circuits.

None.