We had a competiton in 2016. Although we had some achievements, such as making the actual mouse hardware, it was a big fail! The mouse didn't work in the maze. The main reason was because we spent too much time doing trial and error with hardware and couldn't finish driver software parts.
- We completed a PCB design and soldering for a mouse hardware.
- We made a basic algorithm and simulation that actually works.
- The main problem: We didn't finished making software driver in time.
- Soldering problem: some part of hardware (display, SD card) didn't work due to bad soldering.
- Algorithm: we need to make algorithm better to reduce solving time (e.g. diagnal movement)
I had made some improvement last semester. It was mostly for making project more approachable.
- Improved driver software. Now the mouse should start working.
- Improved programming environment so that newcommers don't need to struggle setting up.
The next micromouse competition is around the middle of April. Even though we already have a working mouse, we are planing to make another mouse with improved design.
- Attach simulation part with an actual mouse.
- Improve hardware design. There are many things to fix our PCB board.
- Adopt better alorithm.
- Actual test on the maze in our lab.
This project has been done by one person. However, this project cannot be done by one person. I need your help. If you participate you can learn the following but not limited to:
- Algorithm design
- Embedded system software development (C/C++)
- Hardware redesign, PCB design, and surface-mount device soldering.
- 3D printing.
- Collaboration tools such as Git.
Micromouse is a big project. There is a lot of work needed to be done in order to finish in two months. I will usually have two meetings per week but we may have more, if needed.
- Feb - 1st week of March: Get to know about theory. Redesign hardware.
- 2nd week, March: Build a new Micromouse.
- 3rd week, March - to the date of competition(April): Test the mouse and improve software.