Roving Explorer
This example shows how to use blocks from the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT™ library to create a Simulink® model and run it on the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT hardware.
Contents
Introduction
A robot is an automatic device that performs functions usually attributed to humans. The robots are normally controlled by embedded processors that execute a controller algorithm. A robot usually operates autonomously, but sometimes can be assisted by a human over a communication channel.
In this example you will use LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT hardware to build Roving Explorer, a robot that can perform several complex tasks autonomously or with your guidance over the Bluetooth communication channel.
Roving Explorer starts or stops moving when it detects a clapping sound. When it encounters an obstacle, the robot beeps. If the obstacle is small, the robot grasps it with its claws and makes a right turn. If the obstacle is large, the robot turns right to avoid it. The robot may also detect surface edges.
The robot functions are implemented in a Simulink model. In this example you will review how the individual functions, such as collision avoidance, or object detection and retrieval, is implemented. You will learn the roles of individual LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT library blocks in controlling the robot.
Prerequisites
We recommend completing Communicating with LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Hardware example.
Required Hardware
- LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Base Set
- USB cable
- LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-compatible Bluetooth® dongle (optional for Tasks 3 and 4)
Task 1 - Build the Robot
1. Build the robot. You can use the instructions on the LEGO Web site.
2. Connect a USB cable from your computer to the robot.
3. If you are using Bluetooth, set up the Bluetooth connection between the computer and the robot. See Task 1 in Communicating with LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Hardware example for details.
4. On LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Intelligent Brick, press the orange button to turn the power on.
Note Your version of the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set may include a color sensor instead of a light sensor. If that is the case, you can use it, but you will need to modify the model used in this example.
Task 2 - Run the Robot in Automatic Mode
In automatic mode, the robot automatically steers itself and uses its claws to grab obstacles.
1. Open the robot Roving Explorer model.
2. If your robot has a color sensor, replace the Light Sensor block in the model with the Color Sensor block from the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT library. Set the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT input port to 3, Sensor type to Light, Output mode to Normalized and Sample time to 1.
3. Select Tools > Run on Target Hardware > Run.
4. The robot performs its functions autonomously. On LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Intelligent Brick, press the gray rectangle button to turn the power off.
Task 3 - Run the Robot in Manual Mode
If there is Bluetooth connection between your computer and LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT hardware, you can operate the robot in manual mode. In this mode, you control the robot by changing the Speed, Turn Angle and Claw Control inputs to the Controller.
1. On LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Intelligent Brick, press the orange button to turn the power on.
2. In the model, click the Switch block to change to mode of operation to Manual.
3. In the model, select Tools > Run on Target Hardware > Options....
4. Select the Enable External mode checkbox.
5. Select Tools > Run on Target Hardware > Run.
6. Double-click the blocks connected to the Speed, Turn Angle and Claw Control inputs. Then, update the Constant value parameter on the Main tab. To see acceptable range of values, look at the Output minimum and Output maximum parameters on the Signal Attributes tab.
The model is running on the robot. The Simulink model and the robot are communicating using External mode over Bluetooth connection. Observe how the model states change in the Simulink scopes while the robot interacts with the environment. Stop the robot by pressing the Stop button on the model.
Other Things to Try
Change the settings of the existing or add new LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT blocks. For example:
- Change the text displayed on the LCD that monitors the Ultrasonic Sensor output
- Change the volume of the sound emitted by the robot when it encounters an obstacle
- Add an LCD block to monitor the claw action.
Summary
This example showed a Simulink model that controls a simple robot. As part of that, the example showed how complex robot functions can be implemented in Simulink. The functions and parameters of several blocks from LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT library were described. The example also showed how to monitor and control the robot remotely using External mode.