Motion Sensors and Transducers to Navigate an Intelligent Mechatronic Platform for Outdoor Applications

• Main Authors: Michail G. PAPOUTSIDAKIS, Constantinos S. PSOMOPOULOS, Georgios Ch. IOANNIDIS, Dimitrios I. TSELES
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IFSA Publishing, S.L. 2016-03-01
• Series: Sensors & Transducers
• Subjects: Motion sensors; Mechatronic platform; Microcontroller algorithm; Automated facilities; Human assistance.
• Online Access: http://www.sensorsportal.com/HTML/DIGEST/march_2016/Vol_198/P_2804.pdf

The initial goal of this project is to investigate if different sensor types and their attached transducers can support everyday human needs. Nowadays, there is a constant need to automate many time consuming applications not only in industrial environments but also in smaller scale applications, therefore robotics is a field that continuously tracks research interest. The area of human assistance by machines in everyday needs, continues to grow and to keep users interest very high. "Mechatronics" differ from Robotics in terms of integrated electronics, the advantage of being easily re-programmable and more over the versatility of hosting all kind of sensor types, sensor networks, transducers and actuators. In this research project, such an integrated autonomous device will be presented, focusing around the use of sensors and their feedback signals for proximity, position, motion, distance, placement and finally navigation. The ultimate sensor type choice for the task as well as all transducers signals management will also be highlighted. An up-to-date technology microcontroller will host all the above information and moreover move the mechatronic platform via motor actuators. The control algorithm which will be designed for the application is responsible for receiving all feedback signals, processing them and safely navigate the system in order to undertake its mission. The project scenario, the necessary electronic equipment and the controller design method will be highlighted in the following paragraphs of this document. Conclusions and results of sensor usage, platform's performance and problems solutions, forms the rest of this paper body.