Lesson 31 Development Goals
- Implement core functionality of your capstone project
- Integrate multiple advanced systems successfully
- Achieve major project milestones and deliverables
- Test and debug complex system interactions
- Prepare for final Lesson polish and presentation
🎯 Lesson 31 Milestones
By the end of this Lesson, your project should demonstrate:
Core Functionality (Must Have):
- ✅ All major systems integrated and communicating
- ✅ Primary use case working end-to-end
- ✅ Basic user interface or interaction method
- ✅ Error handling for common failure modes
- ✅ Demonstrable solution to your chosen problem
Advanced Features (Should Have):
- 🔧 Performance optimization and tuning
- 🔧 Additional use cases or scenarios
- 🔧 Enhanced user experience features
- 🔧 Data logging and analysis capabilities
- 🔧 Robust error recovery mechanisms
1. Development Strategy
Focus on building a working system incrementally:
Day-by-Day Development Plan:
- Days 1-2: Core system integration and basic functionality
- Days 3-4: Primary use case implementation and testing
- Days 5-6: User interface and interaction design
- Day 7: Integration testing and bug fixes
Development Best Practices:
- Start Simple: Get basic functionality working before adding complexity
- Test Early: Verify each component before integration
- Document Everything: Keep notes on what works and what doesn't
- Version Control: Save working versions before making major changes
- Ask for Help: Don't struggle alone - collaborate and seek guidance
2. System Integration Checklist
Ensure all your systems work together seamlessly:
Vision System Integration:
- ☐ Camera initialization and configuration
- ☐ Image processing pipeline working reliably
- ☐ Object detection/recognition accuracy acceptable
- ☐ Coordinate transformation from camera to robot space
- ☐ Lighting and environmental robustness
AI/Decision Making Integration:
- ☐ Machine learning models loaded and functional
- ☐ Decision algorithms responding to sensor inputs
- ☐ Learning/adaptation mechanisms working
- ☐ Performance acceptable for real-time operation
- ☐ Fallback behaviors for uncertain situations
Manipulation System Integration:
- ☐ Servo control accurate and responsive
- ☐ Gripper/end effector functioning properly
- ☐ Inverse kinematics calculations correct
- ☐ Force control and safety limits implemented
- ☐ Coordinated movement with base/navigation
Navigation System Integration:
- ☐ Path planning algorithms working
- ☐ Obstacle detection and avoidance
- ☐ Localization and mapping (if applicable)
- ☐ Integration with manipulation tasks
- ☐ Safety stops and emergency behaviors
🔧 Daily Development Activities
Monday-Tuesday: Core Integration
- Combine your major systems into one unified program
- Establish communication protocols between components
- Create a main control loop that coordinates all systems
- Test basic functionality of each integrated component
Wednesday-Thursday: Primary Use Case
- Implement your main project scenario end-to-end
- Fine-tune system parameters for optimal performance
- Add error checking and recovery mechanisms
- Test with various inputs and edge cases
Friday-Saturday: User Experience
- Design and implement user interface elements
- Add feedback mechanisms (lights, sounds, displays)
- Create intuitive interaction methods
- Test usability with potential users
Sunday: Integration & Testing
- Comprehensive system testing and debugging
- Performance optimization and tuning
- Documentation of current functionality
- Preparation for Lesson 32 final polish
3. Common Integration Challenges & Solutions
Troubleshooting guide for typical issues:
Timing and Synchronization Issues:
- Problem: Systems interfering with each other's timing
- Solution: Implement proper task scheduling and priority management
- Tools: State machines, interrupt handlers, timer-based coordination
Resource Conflicts:
- Problem: Multiple systems trying to use same resources
- Solution: Resource management and queuing systems
- Tools: Mutex locks, resource pools, priority queues
Performance Bottlenecks:
- Problem: System too slow for real-time operation
- Solution: Profile code and optimize critical paths
- Tools: Code profilers, algorithm optimization, hardware acceleration
Coordinate System Misalignment:
- Problem: Vision and manipulation coordinates don't match
- Solution: Calibration procedures and transformation matrices
- Tools: Calibration targets, transformation libraries, test patterns
4. Testing and Validation
Systematic approach to ensure your project works reliably:
Unit Testing:
- Test each major component individually
- Verify sensor readings and actuator responses
- Check algorithm outputs with known inputs
- Validate error handling and edge cases
Integration Testing:
- Test system-to-system communication
- Verify coordinated behaviors work correctly
- Check performance under realistic loads
- Test recovery from component failures
User Acceptance Testing:
- Have others try to use your system
- Observe where users get confused or frustrated
- Test with different skill levels and backgrounds
- Gather feedback for final improvements
Testing Success Criteria: Your project should work reliably for at least 3 consecutive demonstrations of your primary use case, with graceful handling of at least 2 common error conditions.
5. Documentation and Progress Tracking
Keep detailed records of your development process:
Daily Development Log:
- What worked: Successful implementations and breakthroughs
- What didn't: Failed approaches and lessons learned
- Next steps: Priorities for the following day
- Resources used: Code examples, tutorials, help received
Technical Documentation:
- System Architecture: How your components connect and communicate
- Configuration Settings: Key parameters and their optimal values
- Known Issues: Bugs, limitations, and workarounds
- Future Improvements: Ideas for enhancements beyond the course
Lesson 32 Preparation: Your documentation this Lesson will be crucial for creating your final presentation and demonstration. Take time to capture screenshots, videos, and notes about your development process.