Workshop

eTRIx is a two day workshop focusing on the art of building autonomous robots out of discrete electronic components. Building such controller-less robots is an ideal way to explore the field of electronics and basics of autonomous robotics. Participants will be able to apply concepts learned in the classrooms in new and interesting ways to create simple yet seemingly complex robotic creatures.

This two day intensive yet fun-filled workshop includes numerous hands-on sessions on designing, analyzing and building a variety of circuits and using them as basic building blocks for different robots. At the end of this workshop, the participants will have designed and implemented their own autonomous robots exhibiting single/ multiple behaviors such as (but not limited to) phototropic, photophobic, obstacle avoiding, wall following and path tracing

eTRIx is an ideal way to spice up the theoretical concepts in electronics with the dynamicity of robotics. Remember, electronics can indeed be FUN!

Registrations for this workshop are closed.

Topics Covered

The topics are categorized into multiple sessions. These sessions will be appropriately paced and distributed in the span of two days.

Introduction to Robotics and basics of robot construction

• Anatomy of a robot
• Overview of controller-less robotics
• Robot construction materials
• Fabrication processes
• Wheels and drives
• Ideas and Tips on fabricating PCBs

Basics of electronics and RC circuits

• Revision of basic electronics fundamentals
• Study of simple RC circuits
• Bread-boarding techniques

Transistors

• Introduction to commonly used transistors
• Selecting the right transistor for your application
• Designing simple transistor circuits
• Using transistors to drive Relays and Motors

Motors and Motor Drivers

• DC motors and Geared motors
• Designing a transistorized H bridge
• Concept of fly-back diodes
• Noise suppression techniques

Sensors

• Introduction to various IR based sensors
• Concept of active modulated sensors
• Tactile sensors
• Sound sensing with simple techniques

Understanding Op Amps

• Basic Op Amp circuits
• Op Amps as comparators
• Designing line detecting sensors
• Building a Line following robot/ Edge avoiding robot
• Building a light seeking robot

Understanding IC 555

• Basics of IC555
• TSOP based object detecting module
• Building obstacle avoider using a timer IC555

The Kit

All of the circuits designed and discussed during the course of this workshop will be assembled and implemented on a specially designed rapid robotic development platform. This kit includes all the necessary tools and components to build a self-contained autonomous robot out of discrete electronic components.

The kit shall consist of the following:

• Motors (Geared - 2)
• Motor Driver Kit
• Power Supply Kit
• Battery Holders with relevant connectors
• Robust chassis

Starters Package List:

(Tools)

• Bread-Board wires
• Screw Driver
• Wire Stripper
• Multi-meter
• Component Container
• Breadboard

(Electronic Components)

• Assortment of Transistors, Resistors, Capacitors and Diodes
• LEDs
• LM358
• LM555
• IR sensor Pair
• LDRs
• TSOP 1738
• Relay
• Potentiometers
• Logic Gates

Miscellaneous:

• Pre and post workshop training material.

Fees

The team may consist of a maximum of 4 members. The fee for the Workshop is Rs. 5000/- which includes a takeaway kit of worth Rs. 3000/-

The Payment has to be made by Demand Draft in favor of The Registrar, IIST, Payable at Trivandrum. You also need to send an attested photocopy of the college ID cards of the team members. Do not forget to mention your team ID (Team IDs are provided in the registration mail). DDs received after 23rd February 2010, will NOT be accepted. You are requested to send us an email at 2010[at]conscientia[dot]co[dot]in with a scanned copy of the demand draft, to prevent problems arising due to postal delay.

Please mail your DD at this address,

Conscientia Office,
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology,
ATF Campus, ISRO P.O., Thumba,
Thiruvananthapuram 695022,
Kerala

Important Information

• Participants must register on the website to attend this workshop.
• Certificates will be awarded to all the participants.
• For any queries and clarifications, contact wnl[at]conscientia[dot]co[dot]in.

List of DDs Received

To be updated soon.