Our second smart EV3 project is the Omnilander, a box-climbing robot. This is the ultimate all-terrain vehicle. Its large tank tracks give it traction over a diverse range of surfaces and allow it to drive up steep inclines. The Omnilander is also equipped with special hardware that allows it to climb up some vertical obstacles!
The Omnilander demonstrates some features that are used by smart robots in real life. For example, in this chapter, we will see how a smart robot can use advanced mechanisms such as worm gears, rack-and-pinion, and clutches to accomplish a goal using only one motor. We will review tank tracks and apply them for a slightly different purpose for this project. In this chapter, we will also introduce proximity sensors, which measure the distance between the sensor and an obstacle in a straight line. The Omnilander...