This web page records details of the work I have completed during my summer vacation scholarship at The University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy. I have tried to write this in a way such that students who are new to concepts in control engineering can understand this report, so if you feel that you are well learned then feel free to skip through the parts with which you are comfortable.
Many thanks to Professor Ian Petersen and Associate Professor Himanshu Pota at UNSW@ADFA for their ideas and support over the last twelve weeks.
Abstract
In 1998, Lego, in conjuction with the Massachusets Institute of Technology released the Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System (RIS). This essentially was the same as its predecessor, Lego Technics, however Mindstorms featured the RCX, a programmable brick with a built in 8-bit microprocessor. This opened up doors to worlds of imagination and allowed everyday people the chance to create their own robots. In control engineering, Lego Mindstorms can be a fun and creative way for students to learn and grasp fundamental concepts in a practical experience. This report investigates using the RCX to design a simple speed control system right up to a vehicle that is able to travel a path specified by the designer.