University of Engineering and Technology Lahore

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering

LAB 8: Programming a Rover Vehicle using Robotic

Development Kit
Submitted By: 2017-MC-61 (Humais Khurram)

OBJECTIVE:
• Interfacing and Programming a Rover Vehicle, assembled in Lab 7, using Robotic Development Kit
and Exploration of Assigned Task

APPARATUS:

• Pitsco Tetrix Prime Kit

• NI myRio controller
• Laptop with NI 2014 installed and activated
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
• Exp. understanding
• Exp. performance
• Software handling
• Accuracy/precision
INTRODUCTION:
Interface the Assembled Rover Vehicle from Lab # 7, and program to perform autonomous random walk with
obstacle detection. Bonus point will be given if obstacle avoidance is implemented. Write your interfacing
and programming sequences and share your observations and conclusion.

PROCEDURE:
Interfacing Sequence:
Step#1: As soon as we connect the myRIO with the laptop using the USB device cable, a dialogue box
appears. This is for the testing of your controller to ensure that your controller is working fine. We can
test the accelerometer and leds for confirmation. These can be used for troubleshooting and even in
different applications.

MCT 451: Introduction to Robotics

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T. Lahore
 University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering

Step#2: Now, open the NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (NI MAX). In the remote
systems, you will your myRIO connected as shown:

Step#3: Now, go to the network settings to configure the controller. Enable the wifi from the myRIO
by pressing the wifi button. Change the Wireless mode to create wireless network. Change the SSID
of the controller and set a passphrase for it. Change the Configure IPv4 address to DHCP only and
thus save it.

MCT 451: Introduction to Robotics

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T. Lahore
 University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering

Step#4: Connect your laptop to the wifi of your myRIO controller for wireless communication.
Step#5: Now, open the LabVIEW software and open the control system test project. Now, test the
components of the robot for ensuring the working of every individual component by connecting the
motor controller with the myRIO.

Programming Sequence:
Step#1: Power up the myRIO controller using the battery provided (12V 2000mAh). Do check
whether your laptop is connected to the myRIO controller or not to ensure proper communication.
Step#2: Open LabVIEW and thus open the Rover Project from existing projects.
Step#3: Now, open Real Time (RT) main first and then open Host main.

Step#4: Same is the sequence for running the program as in step 3.

Step#5: Now, give commands to the robot using the buttons so that it can move.

PROGRAMMING CODE:

MCT 451: Introduction to Robotics

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T. Lahore
 University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering

OBSERVATIONS:
Insert some snapshot of the Rover Vehicle performing assigned task.

RESULTS:
Show your demonstration to instructor for evaluation and grading.

CONCLUSIONS:
This robot is very stable with an advantage of wireless communication. The robots can be programmed
in such a way that they can operate autonomously and hence can be used in different and difficult applications
as their structure is quite compact.

MCT 451: Introduction to Robotics

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T. Lahore