LINE FOLLOWER ROBOT

For those who are interested in the world of robotics, certainly no stranger to this, Line Follower Robot. Line Follower Robot is one of the simplest types of robots that can be made by anyone, without needing deep knowledge about the world of electronics and robotics.

Line follower robot works by running following lines (usually black lines). This robot uses the principle of reflected light, so it can differentiate the color, black and white. Line follower robot has three main components, that is sensors, processors, and actuators.

     1.  Sensor

Sensor is part of the robot that functions convert physical quantities into electrical quantity (which distinguishes black and white). There are several types of sensors used in line follower robot, such as proximity, photodiode-infrared, phototransistor, LDR-LED, etc.

Usually, the line follower robot using proximity sensors. This sensor can be our own. The way it works is simple. If the sensor on the light colored objects, the light will be reflected. If the sensor on the dark object, the light will be absorbed.

As a light source we use LED (Light Emiting Diode) that will emit a red light. To capture the LED reflected light, we can use photodiode. Photodiode-infrared works by using the principle of light reflection. Infrared (white) emit infrared light. Then the infrared light reflected off the ground to be absorbed by the photodiode. The intensity of the reflected light will be different on the medium. White medium will be more than black medium. If the sensor is above the black line, the photodiode will receive very little light reflection. But if the sensor is above the white line,  the photodiode will receive a lot of reflected light. It controls the resistance of the photodiode so that we can get the logic 0 and 1.

2.  Processor

Processor is a component which is in charge of processing the digital signal from the sensor. One of IC is commonly used comparator IC 339. This IC works by comparing the voltage on the negative input and positive. If the voltage at the positives outweigh the negatives, the IC will issue a logic 1 and vice versa.

3.  Actuators

Actuator is a mechanical component of the line follower robot. The components such as wheels and motors. Motor will move in accordance with the logic generated by the comparator, so that the robot can follow the line.

With a slight addition of other components, simple line follower robot can be made by anyone who wants to try. But remember, always be careful because one of the steps that must be done is soldering ;)

-priscilla a