Fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing two B.S in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.
Mars Explorer - The Camouflager
Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering course group project (05/2020 - 08/2020)
The Camouflager is a Mars Rover developed to explore and disguise itself by changing its color according to the surrounding environment, like a chameleon. This optimal solution ensures the explorer's survival against any unknown dangers or creatures.
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University of Michigan - Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute project team members: Daniela Mata, Shenyi Qiao, Yiying Jiang, Jiayuan Rao, and Lang Shen.
Development
Needs:
A system able to recognize the colors and copy them onto the vehicle
Motion System allowing free movement
A communication system that connects the car and user such that it receives orders remotely
Elaborated design structure that optimizes the space division
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Design Description:
TCS3200 Color Sensor: Detects RGB components under the vehicle and transmits them to Arduino Mega - then the data is transferred to the WS2812 LED screen to display the color
Self-designed app: Links Bluetooth unit HC06 and operates the movement through Arduino Uno.
Inner and outer shells are made by 3D printing.
Inner shell: double-decked to better arrange and utilize the space for controlling parts.
Solution and Validation
Significance of Solution:
Explorer reacts to complex environments with multiple colors:
Four TCS3200 color sensors are installed on the bottom
The W2812 LED matrices are programmed to react differently in different regions
Improved spread of light through material and distance:
Translucent plastic is used for the outer shell​
The distance between shell and lights is 1 cm
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Validation process:
The car moves stably in several directions with different speed
Bluetooth unit receives orders in a short time
The sensor detects RGB components in 0.5s
The algorithm converts input data into proper output RGB values
The algorithm eliminates the small oscillation in collected data
LED matrix gives out stable light with designed color
Demonstration video
Acknowledgement
Professor Yanfeng Shen, UM-SJTU Joint Institute.Â
Professor Ting Sun, UM-SJTU Joint Institute.
Dongxiao Yang, Hao Liu, Yifan Shen, Yang Shen, VG100 Teaching Assistants at UM-SJTU Joint Institute.