Analog Robot Navigates Around The Workshop With Ease

556_wall_following_robot

Many of the robots we feature here are driven by some sort of microcontroller, whether it be an Arduino, Launchpad, Picaxe, etc. Rarely do we see a robot however, using analog circuits to perform higher-level functions typically relegated to those more complex controllers. Instructables user [hasn0life] built such a robot recently, which he entered into a contest at his college. After hearing about the 555 design contest from a friend, he tweaked his project and created a wall-following robot using a 556 timer.

The robot is fairly simple when you take a close look, though that does not take away from the elegance of his design. A single IR sensor is used to detect objects in the robot’s periphery, guiding the robot along. When the robot gets too close to a wall, one wheel reverses, pulling the robot away. Once the robot has moved a sufficient distance, the other wheel is reversed in order to straighten out the robot. Then, both wheels work in concert to get the robot moving forward.

Take a look at the video below to watch the robot navigate its way around his workshop, and if you are interested in learning more about analog robotics, check out this post from a few days back.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3CrT_Yz1wE&w=470]

10 thoughts on “Analog Robot Navigates Around The Workshop With Ease

  1. wow, this guy does something actually pretty cool, and all you people can do is criticize?

    i expect to see your oh so perfect analog robots up on this site that is suitable for entry into a contest

  2. “i expect to see your oh so perfect analog robots up on this site that is suitable for entry into a contest”

    Why is it that people who makes comments like this never do the things they demand of others?

  3. ”’
    “i expect to see your oh so perfect analog robots up on this site that is suitable for entry into a contest”

    Why is it that people who makes comments like this never do the things they demand of others?
    ”’

    Why is it that people like this don’t do what others demand?

    This thing is mighty impressive for what it is.

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