Holiday Photo Robot!

voltage divider schematic to power the pi
voltage divider assembled
Our Robot with the Pixy 2.2 CpuCam5

Inspiration

The holiday season is all about making memories with loved ones, but capturing those moments often pulls us away from being fully present. Inspired by the idea of preserving these moments without the distraction of phones or cameras in hand, we set out to create the Holiday Photo Robot: an autonomous robot capable of navigating spaces, taking pictures, and providing a unique, tech-savvy touch to holiday gatherings.

What it does

The Holiday Photo Robot autonomously navigates rooms using Mecanum wheels for seamless 360-degree motion. Equipped with a camera, it identifies scenic moments and captures photos, allowing users to focus on enjoying their holiday experiences. Think of it as your personal holiday photographer, but in robotic form!

How we built it

Design and Hardware: The chassis was custom-designed and 3D-printed using PLA, ensuring durability and precision. It is powered by four DC motors attached to Mecanum wheels for enhanced maneuverability.
Electronics: Initially, we utilized a Raspberry Pi 5 paired with an Arducam 8MP camera for image capture and processing. However, due to challenges in powering the system, we pivoted to a Pixy 2.2 Camera and Arduino Uno for efficient vision-based tracking.
Navigation and Controls: The robot uses a combination of motor controllers and onboard processing for autonomous movement, while its compact build ensures it can easily navigate indoor spaces filled with holiday decor.

Challenges we ran into

One of the major hurdles we faced was powering the Raspberry Pi and camera independently. Despite attempts using voltage divider circuits and various battery configurations, we found that power demand exceeded our available resources. Without access to a buck converter, we had to creatively adapt our hardware setup by transitioning to a Pixy 2.2 Camera and Arduino Uno, which offered a more power-efficient solution. Additionally, optimizing the robot's navigation for crowded environments posed significant challenges but helped us fine-tune its maneuverability.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Successfully integrating Mecanum wheels for precise omnidirectional movement. Adapting to technical challenges by redesigning our vision system to maintain functionality with limited resources. Building a versatile, lightweight chassis that balances aesthetics and functionality. Creating a working prototype that can autonomously navigate and take pictures in real time.

What we learned

This project taught us the importance of adaptability when faced with resource constraints. We gained hands-on experience in robotics, circuit design, and power management while enhancing our problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Additionally, we learned to iterate and improve on our designs to align with the goals of the project.

What's next for Holiday Photo Robot

Moving forward, we plan to:

Revisit the Raspberry Pi integration with a proper buck converter to improve the robot's processing power.
Enhance photo-capturing capabilities by adding facial recognition and framing algorithms for better shots.
Develop a user-friendly interface for customizing the robot's behaviors and photo settings.
Experiment with seasonal themes, such as holiday lights or music synchronization, to make the robot even more festive!