OPM (Object Perimeter Mapper)

About the Project

OPM is a robotic system that navigates around objects, scans their perimeters, and generates detailed 2D horizontal slice maps. It utilizes motors, batteries, sensors, and software to create accurate visual representations of objects.

What inspired us?

The idea for OPM came from the inefficiency of manual object measurement and mapping. Whether inspecting machinery, the process is often tedious and error-prone. Inspired by autonomous robots like Roomba, I wanted to create a tool that could automate this task, making it faster, more accurate, and more reliable.

How We Built OPM

Planning & Design: Outlined the system’s core functionality, exploring various mapping techniques and visualization methods.
Hardware Assembly: Built a mobile base with motors, ultrasonic sensors, and a microcontroller powered by a battery pack. The components were mounted on a sturdy, lightweight platform.
Software Development: Developed algorithms to process sensor data, navigate autonomously, and generate perimeter plots.
Testing & Optimization: Conducted multiple trials in different environments to improve movement accuracy and data reliability.
Data Visualization: Used Python libraries like Matplotlib to convert sensor data into detailed 2D maps.

Challenges We Faced

Inconsistent Sensor Readings: Implemented filtering techniques to reduce noise and improve accuracy.
Navigation Errors: Refined movement logic, improving turning mechanisms and obstacle detection.
2D Mapping Complexity: Learned and applied coordinate system transformations to correctly map the scanned data.