Final Product

The objective of the snack distributing robot project is to develop an autonomous system that enhances dining experiences by efficiently distributing snacks. This robot is designed to follow a designated black line on a dining table, ensuring precise navigation. It is equipped with an LCD to display the weight of the snack bowl, providing real-time information to users. An ultrasonic sensor is incorporated to detect obstacles and halt the robot for snack distribution, ensuring safety and accuracy. Additionally, a photoelectric sensor is used to dim the LCD backlight, optimizing power consumption and adapting to ambient light conditions. This project aims to integrate multiple sensors and control mechanisms to create a reliable, user-friendly, and energy-efficient snack distribution solution.

The development of the snack distributing robot is inspired by the growing demand for automation and convenience in everyday life. Automated systems and robots have increasingly become integral in various fields, including manufacturing, healthcare, and home automation. This project leverages the advancements in sensor technology and microcontroller-based control systems to address the practical need for a hands-free, efficient snack distribution mechanism in social and family settings. By integrating line-following capabilities, weight measurement, obstacle detection, and adaptive lighting, the robot combines multiple functionalities that are commonly found in industrial and service robots. This background in robotics and automation provides a foundation for creating a user-friendly device that enhances social interactions by seamlessly distributing snacks, thereby allowing users to focus more on their conversations and activities.

• Families and Household Users
• Event Planners and Hosts
• Restaurants and Cafes
• Technology Enthusiasts and Hobbyists
• Educational Institutions
• Elderly and Accessibility Services
• Smart Home Developers
• Tech Exhibitions and Demonstrations

The focus of the snack distributing robot project is to create a seamless and efficient autonomous system for enhancing dining experiences through innovative technology. This project emphasizes the integration of various sensors and control mechanisms to achieve precise navigation, accurate weight measurement, and responsive obstacle detection. By utilizing an LCD to display real-time weight data, an ultrasonic sensor for detecting obstacles and stopping the robot, and a photoelectric sensor for adaptive backlight control, the robot aims to deliver a user-friendly, energy-efficient solution. The primary goal is to provide a practical and enjoyable snack distribution experience, showcasing the potential of robotics in everyday household applications while also catering to broader uses in events, hospitality, and accessibility services.

Assumptions:

• The robot will be operating on a stable, flat surface such as a dining table, without significant inclines or irregularities
• The black line that the robot follows is consistently visible and free of obstructions or damage that could interfere with its sensors
• There is sufficient ambient lighting for the photoelectric sensor to function effectively and dim the LCD backlight as needed
• The path for the robot is clearly defined with a continuous black line, ensuring it can navigate without interruptions or the need for recalibration
• The weight of the snack bowl is within the capacity that the robot's weighing mechanism can accurately measure and display
• The dining area is generally free of unexpected obstacles, and the ultrasonic sensor can detect and respond to obstacles effectively
• The robot has a reliable power source, whether battery-operated or plugged in, to ensure continuous operation during its task
• Users understand and follow the operational guidelines for the robot, ensuring it is placed correctly on the dining table and the path is clear
• All sensors (line-following, ultrasonic, and photoelectric) are calibrated correctly and provide accurate data for the robot's operations
• Safety protocols are in place to handle any malfunction or unexpected behavior of the robot, ensuring user and property safety

Constraints:

• The robot's operational time is limited by its battery life, requiring periodic recharging or battery replacement
• The robot is designed to operate on flat surfaces only and may not function correctly on uneven or textured surfaces
• The effectiveness of the line-following capability is constrained by the visibility and integrity of the black line on the dining table
• The robot's weighing mechanism has a maximum weight limit for the snack bowl, beyond which it cannot provide accurate measurements
• The ultrasonic sensor has a limited detection range, affecting the robot's ability to detect obstacles that are too far or too close
• The photoelectric sensor's performance is influenced by the ambient lighting conditions, which can affect the LCD backlight dimming feature
• The microcontroller's processing power limits the complexity and speed of the robot's real-time decision-making and sensor data processing
• The robot is designed to follow a simple, continuous path and may not handle complex intersections or multiple branching paths effectively
• Regular maintenance is required to ensure the sensors and mechanical parts of the robot remain in optimal working condition
• The budget for building and maintaining the robot is constrained, impacting the choice of components and overall design
• Users need to be familiar with the robot's operation, requiring instructions and possibly a learning curve for effective use
• The robot's performance may be affected by environmental factors such as dust, moisture, and temperature variations, necessitating protective measures

👩‍💻 Languages

🚀 Development Tools & Environments

⚙️ Hardware and Microcontroller Boards

• The robot autonomously distributes snacks on a dining table by following a black line
• The LCD accurately displays the weight of the snack bowl, providing real-time information to users
• The ultrasonic sensor effectively detects obstacles, ensuring safe and precise stopping for snack distribution
• The photoelectric sensor successfully dims the LCD backlight based on ambient light conditions, optimizing energy consumption
• The robot operates smoothly on flat surfaces, maintaining a consistent and accurate navigation path
• The robot offers an innovative solution that enhances dining experiences by automating snack distribution
• The project demonstrates the practical application of robotics in everyday household environments
• The project highlights the potential for further developments in home automation, contributing to improved social interactions and convenience

• Conduct extensive user testing to gather feedback on the robot’s performance and usability, identifying areas for improvement
• Refine the robot's design and software based on user feedback, focusing on enhancing navigation accuracy, obstacle detection, and weight measurement
• Explore options to extend battery life or implement more efficient power management solutions to increase operational time
• Investigate ways to improve the robot's performance on various surfaces, including slightly uneven or textured areas
• Develop algorithms to handle more complex paths, such as intersections or multiple branches, increasing the robot’s versatility
• Establish regular maintenance protocols to ensure the longevity and reliability of the robot’s sensors and mechanical components
• Identify and implement cost-saving measures to make the robot more affordable for a wider audience without compromising quality
• Create comprehensive user manuals and training materials to help users understand and effectively operate the robot
• Design protective measures to safeguard the robot against environmental factors such as dust, moisture, and temperature fluctuations
• Conduct a market analysis to identify potential target markets and opportunities for commercializing the robot
• Explore additional features such as voice control, mobile app integration, or custom snack distribution patterns to enhance user experience
• Seek partnerships with companies or institutions in the home automation, robotics, and hospitality sectors to further develop and promote the robot

• Schematic
• User Manual

Amandip Padda