Project Description

Project Description

Project Objectives

  • Produce a soft, flexible chameleon-tongue
  • Programming of a microcontroller to control pneumatic actuation
  • Design and build an air valve and pump circuit
  • Integrate an ultrasonic sensor to control the output

Supplies

Electronics

  • Arduino Nano (or similar Microcontroller)
  • Compatible IDE

Creature Body

  • Printer/Lined Paper
  • Tape

Equipment

  • Breadboard
  • Wires
  • Mini Air Pump
  • Ultrasonic Sensor
  • Air Tubing
  • 5V Power Supply

Instructor Prep

Instructors should be familiar with how to build an electrical circuit with embedded peripherals. Instructors should also be familiar with how to operate a mini air pump. Instructors should be familiar with semiconductor devices. Instructors should also be familiar with soft robotics and actuation principles. Instructors should know how to build a simple party blower.
Phase Timeline

Phase 1: Introduction

  • Students will learn about microprocessors and microcontrollers and how they can be used in their embedded systems. Students will learn about the different types of embedded peripherals. Students will be shown/explained the various uses of each peripheral and how they can be used in the embedded system they will design.

Deliverable 1: In a 1-2 paragraph report, explain the different types of embedded peripherals and their uses.

Phase 2: Design & Creation

  • Deliverable 2: Create a circuit using these embedded peripherals.
  • IMAGE
  • System Block Diagram

  • Students will work in teams of 2-4 to design a circuit of their choice using embedded peripherals stated in the educational objectives. Students will be provided with the parts they need to create the circuit that they designed. The circuit must be able to pneumatically actuate a party blower using a 5V power supply connected to a 5V mini air pump. The circuit must be able to actuate the party blower to a specified length and push an object like a piece of cardboard or an empty plastic water bottle. The party blower can be store-bought or hand-made. If the party blower is handmade, instructors must provide tape, paper, tubing, and anything else needed to the students.

  • IMAGE
  • Example Schematic

Phase 3: Analysis & Results

  • Students will analyze the amount of distance it took to push a styrofoam box or a water bottle using an ultrasonic sensor. Students will be graded on the functionality and complexity of their embedded system. Functionality will be based on whether the students can actuate the party blower. Complexity will be based on the complexity of the system in terms of the number of embedded peripherals in the system. Students will also create a technical report, which the students will be graded on.

Deliverable 3: Use the circuit you created to actuate a party blower pneumatically.