Lesson 16: Final Project and Competition

Knowledge Goals:

• Integrate all semester concepts into a cohesive project
• Apply engineering design process
• Understand project management principles
• Learn presentation and documentation skills

Practical Skills:

• Design and implement complex autonomous systems
• Debug and optimize robot performance
• Present technical work professionally
• Collaborate effectively in teams

// Example: Search and Rescue Robot Architecture
class SearchRescueRobot {
private:
  NavigationModule navigator;
  VisionModule vision;
  CommunicationModule comm;
  MissionController mission;
  
public:
  void setup() {
    // Initialize all modules
    navigator.init();
    vision.init();
    comm.init();
    mission.init();
    
    Serial.println("Search and Rescue Robot Ready!");
  }
  
  void loop() {
    // Get current mission state
    MissionState state = mission.getCurrentState();
    
    switch(state) {
      case SEARCHING:
        executeSearchPattern();
        break;
      case TARGET_FOUND:
        approachTarget();
        break;
      case COLLECTING_DATA:
        gatherTargetInfo();
        break;
      case REPORTING:
        transmitResults();
        break;
      case RETURNING:
        returnToBase();
        break;
    }
    
    // Update all modules
    navigator.update();
    vision.update();
    comm.update();
    mission.update();
  }
  
private:
  void executeSearchPattern() {
    // Use computer vision to scan for targets
    vector<Target> targets = vision.scanForTargets();
    
    if (!targets.empty()) {
      mission.setTarget(targets[0]);
      mission.setState(TARGET_FOUND);
      return;
    }
    
    // Continue systematic search
    navigator.executeSearchPattern();
  }
  
  void approachTarget() {
    Target currentTarget = mission.getCurrentTarget();
    
    if (navigator.navigateToPoint(currentTarget.location)) {
      mission.setState(COLLECTING_DATA);
    }
  }
};
                

class TestSuite {
public:
  void runAllTests() {
    Serial.println("Starting comprehensive test suite...");
    
    testBasicMovement();
    testSensorAccuracy();
    testVisionSystem();
    testNavigationAlgorithms();
    testMissionLogic();
    testErrorHandling();
    
    Serial.println("All tests completed!");
  }
  
private:
  void testBasicMovement() {
    Serial.println("Testing basic movement...");
    
    // Test forward movement
    robot.moveForward(50);
    delay(1000);
    float distance1 = robot.getDistance();
    
    robot.stop();
    delay(500);
    
    // Test backward movement
    robot.moveBackward(50);
    delay(1000);
    float distance2 = robot.getDistance();
    
    // Validate movement occurred
    if (abs(distance2 - distance1) > 10) {
      Serial.println("✓ Basic movement test PASSED");
    } else {
      Serial.println("✗ Basic movement test FAILED");
    }
  }
  
  void testSensorAccuracy() {
    Serial.println("Testing sensor accuracy...");
    
    // Take multiple readings
    float readings[10];
    for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
      readings[i] = robot.getDistance();
      delay(100);
    }
    
    // Calculate standard deviation
    float stdDev = calculateStandardDeviation(readings, 10);
    
    if (stdDev < 2.0) {
      Serial.println("✓ Sensor accuracy test PASSED");
    } else {
      Serial.println("✗ Sensor accuracy test FAILED");
    }
  }
};
                

Technical Documentation

• System architecture diagrams
• Code comments and explanations
• Sensor specifications and calibration
• Algorithm flowcharts
• Performance test results

Visual Documentation

• Photos of robot construction
• Video demonstrations
• Screenshots of code and interfaces
• Performance graphs and charts
• Before/after comparisons

📊 What You've Accomplished

• Mastered Arduino programming fundamentals
• Learned sensor integration and data processing
• Implemented computer vision and AI concepts
• Built autonomous robotic systems
• Developed professional documentation skills

🚀 Looking Ahead to Semester 2

• Advanced AI and machine learning applications
• Multi-robot coordination and swarm intelligence
• Real-world problem-solving projects
• Industry partnerships and mentorship
• Preparation for robotics competitions