1 Introduction
Mobile Autonomous System Laboratory (MASLAB) is an IAP robot building competition. In this competition, you and your team will design, prototype, build, and program an autonomous robot from scratch. Your robot will face off in a public competition to complete tasks involve identifying and manipulating objects without any human intervention. The teams with the best robots will take home extravagant prizes! You will develop not only robotic skills but also teamwork and management during this exciting January, so bring your friends and let's bond over building robots!
At the end of the competition, you and your team will get to keep the robot and all the provided materials.
At the beginning of the class, each team will be provided a tote with parts, tools, and a small part organizer. There will also be other shared materials and components such as MDF boards and servos for your team to start building the robot. Each team can also request additional parts by filling out an online form. Please be mindful about shipping time and fee.
MASLAB robot kit consists of two central components:
- A Raspberry Pi 5 computer - A powerful mini computer to run computer vision and control your robot
- Raven - MASLAB custom circuit board to handle power and interaction with actuators and sensors
MASLAB KitBot also includes motors with encoders and servos to mobilize the robot. Teams can opt to use other motors and servos. More about actuators will be covered in another guide.
Raven also includes 2 qwiic (https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic) connector to connect the Pi 5 to other sensors. More about how to use sensors will be covered in another guide.
To power these devices LiPo batteries will be provided.
Caution
LiPo batteries are DANGEROUS. A tutorial about using LiPo battery will be provided during the first week of class. Do not use the battery until then. In addition, please review battery guide before using the robot with a battery.
The Raspberry Pi 5 is already set up with Raspberry Pi OS Trixie. Communication with the Pi will be through the Pi's wireless hotspot or WiFi. More details will be provided in [Raspberry Pi guide].
Check that you have the following items. Please ask the staff if you are unsure which part is which. In the tote:
- TP-Link AC600 nano USB to WiFi adapter
- Logitech Brio 101 webcam
- Two LiPo batteries in fire safe bags
- A set of colorful allen key
- A set of multi-bit precision screwdriver
- Two Pololu metal gear motors
In the small part organizer:
- Raspberry Pi 5 4 Gb
- Raspberry Pi 5 cooler
- 5V 27W USB-C power supply
- SD card with your team number on it
- Cable with an on-off switch
- Black-yellow battery cable adapter
- Raven board with a bag of electrical parts and a 40 pin connector
- Two black battery monitors/alarms
- A roller wheel
- A set of big rubber wheels and hubs with snap rings and set screws
- Some battery stickers for your enjoyment
Warning
There are very limited spare parts so please be careful with your kit as it is highly unlikely that we can provide replacements.
MASLAB game differs from year to year. More details about the game will be released during the first week.
Now that you are through with the introduction, please proceed to Electrical guide and Raspberry Pi guide to get started!