Project Abstract

(Download "Abstract.txt")

Our project is called Mobile Island, which is actually sound controlled car. It has 3 different modes. The main mode is mode 1 - sound control. The other 2 modes are mode 2 - keypad control and mode 3 - free run.

The main functions are:
Mode 1 - sound control: Island can detect the source of the sound. After detecting the sound source, it will turn and move to the sound source.
Mode 2 - keypad control: Island can be controlled by the keypad.
Mode 3 - free run: Island can move by itself. It can also detect the obstacle in front of it while moving so that it can avoid crashing on the obstacle by itself.

The main features are:
1. Computing the orientation of the sound source by using a voice localization algorithm on responses collected from 3 microphones on Island.
2. PS/2 protocol used to communicate between the emulator (8051) and the PS/2 keypad. The keypad functions like a normal keypad.
3. Adjusting the retreat step size by computing the distance to the obstacle in front of Island by using ultrasound detection.
4. One motor driver chip controlling 2 DC motors which can move Island forward, backward, left and right.
5. Two 8255 chips used to extend the limited number of ports from the emulator (8051). One is used as input ports and the other one is used as output ports.