1. State the assignment (problem/project) in your own words.
The wattlesnake-bot was meant to first rattle its tail if you got too close, and then lunge out at you and chomp your face off, as well as knock your socks off. (See what I did there?)
2. What are your input factors? (What did you need to know or do before you can begin?) Include the research you did.
The input factors are: you need to go to NXTPrograms.com to build the design, and have LabView for LegoMindstorms.
3. Describe the processs in detail. Explain the steps you followed in order to complete the project.
To build the robot, we used the build design at NXTPrograms.com http://www.nxtprograms.com/rattlesnake/steps.html (adding a few customizations of course) After that, we started on the programming (below). We finished that and our robot was finished.
4. Describe the final output/product in detail: what are we looking at?
The final product looks like a wattlesnake, and even shakes its tail when it sees something before it attacksss.
5. Describe feedback you received during the project (suggestions comments etc.) From peers instuctors etc. How did you use this feedback to correct issues with your project?
During the project, we received many compliments on our robot, as well as constructive criticism. We used this to improve on the robot, such as making it more stable, and improving on the program.
6. What did you learn during the assignment such as tools, skills, design concepts, software, hardware,etc.
I learned how to use a sonar sensor in programming, as well as getting better at programming and building in general.
7. If you were to do the project again, what would you do differently and why? provide reasons and examples.
For one thing, I'd be more careful, as our robot accidentally dropped and we had to fix it, wasting precious time. Also, I'd make the tail extension a bit more stable.
The beginning of the program, with the sonar sensor. When it senses an object seventy-five centimeters or less in front of it, it triggers the sequence. The entire program is encased inside a while loop (goes on forever). Port C is the tail, and Port B is the wattlesnake's neck.
The middle of the program, just the same thing repeated over and over again.
The end of the program. The end of the wattlesnake's tail movement triggers the tail to stop (brake) and the actual neck to extend and retract. When you move your hand in front of the wattlesnake's "eyes", it lunges out at you.