Book Image

Learn Robotics Programming

By : Danny Staple
Book Image

Learn Robotics Programming

By: Danny Staple

Overview of this book

We live in an age where the most difficult human tasks are now automated. Smart and intelligent robots, which will perform different tasks precisely and efficiently, are the requirement of the hour. A combination of Raspberry Pi and Python works perfectly when making these kinds of robots. Learn Robotics Programming starts by introducing you to the basic structure of a robot, along with how to plan, build, and program it. As you make your way through the book, you will gradually progress to adding different outputs and sensors, learning new building skills, and writing code for interesting behaviors with sensors. You’ll also be able to update your robot, and set up web, phone, and Wi-Fi connectivity in order to control it. By the end of the book, you will have built a clever robot that can perform basic artificial intelligence (AI) operations.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)

What are encoders?

Encoders are sensors that change value based on the movement of a part. They detect where the shaft is or how many times an axle has turned. These can be rotating, or sensing, along a straight line track.

Sensing how far something has traveled is also known as odometry, and the sensors can also be called tachometers, or tachos for short. The sensors suggested in the Technical requirements section may also show up as Arduino tacho in searches.

Use of encoders

Our robots use electronic sensors. Cars and large commercial vehicles use electronic or mechanical sensors for speedometers and tachos.

Encoders are used as an alternative to stepper motors in items such as printers and scanners. Sensing the amount...