Creative Technology

Quarter 3 - Module 1: Principles and Concepts of Control Interface

A control interface is a medium through which users interact with and manage systems,
devices, or applications. It includes the design, layout, and functionality that allow users to input
commands, monitor outputs, and adjust settings.

Key Components

1.​ Input Methods:

○​ Physical Controls: Buttons, knobs, touchscreens.
○​ Software Controls: Menus, sliders, virtual buttons.
2.​ Output Displays:
○​ Visual Feedback: Graphical interfaces, indicators, notifications.
○​ Audio Feedback: Sounds or alerts that indicate status changes.

Concept of Status Indicators

Status indicators are visual or auditory signals that convey the current state or condition of a
system, device, or application. They help users quickly understand the operational status,
performance, or alerts associated with a system.

Key Components

1.​ Visual Indicators:

○​ Icons: Simple graphics representing status (e.g., a battery icon).
○​ Colors: Different colors to indicate statuses (e.g., green for "on," red for "error").
○​ Text Labels: Short phrases or symbols to describe status (e.g., "Connected,"
"Loading").
2.​ Auditory Indicators:
○​ Sounds: Beeps, alerts, or tones to signify status changes.
○​ Voice Alerts: Spoken messages to communicate specific information or alerts.

Actuators and Control Systems

Actuators are devices that convert energy into mechanical motion. They play a crucial role in
various systems and applications by physically moving or controlling mechanisms.

Key Types of Actuators:

 1.​ Electrical Actuators:
○​ Description: Use electrical energy to produce motion.
○​ Examples: Electric motors, solenoids.
2.​ Pneumatic Actuators:
○​ Description: Use compressed air to create movement.
○​ Examples: Air cylinders, diaphragm actuators.
3.​ Hydraulic Actuators:
○​ Description: Utilize hydraulic fluid to produce force and motion.
○​ Examples: Hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motors.
4.​ Mechanical Actuators:
○​ Description: Use mechanical means (gears, levers) for motion.
○​ Examples: Rack and pinion systems, screw jacks.
5.​ Thermal Actuators:
○​ Description: Respond to temperature changes to create movement.
○​ Examples: Bimetallic strips, shape memory alloys.

Types of Robotic Locomotion

1.​ Wheeled Locomotion:

○​ Description: Robots move using wheels or casters.
○​ Advantages: Efficient on flat surfaces, simple control, and good speed.
○​ Examples: Mobile robots, autonomous vehicles.
2.​ Legged Locomotion:
○​ Description: Robots move using legs, mimicking animal movements.
○​ Advantages: Better adaptability to uneven terrain.
○​ Examples: Bipedal robots (e.g., humanoids), quadrupedal robots (e.g., Boston
Dynamics’ Spot).
3.​ Tracked Locomotion:
○​ Description: Robots use continuous tracks like tanks.
○​ Advantages: Stability on rough terrain and better traction.
○​ Examples: Military robots, agricultural vehicles.
4.​ Aerial Locomotion:
○​ Description: Robots that fly using rotors or wings.
○​ Advantages: Can navigate over obstacles and cover large areas quickly.
○​ Examples: Drones, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
5.​ Swimming:
○​ Description: Robots designed to move through water.
○​ Advantages: Ideal for underwater exploration.
○​ Examples: Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
6.​ Hybrid Locomotion:
○​ Description: Combining multiple locomotion methods (e.g., wheels and legs).
○​ Advantages: Versatile and adaptable to different environments.
○​ Examples: Robots that can transition between walking and rolling.
Considerations for Robotic Locomotion:

●​ Terrain Adaptability: Ability to navigate various surfaces (smooth, rough, inclined).

●​ Energy Efficiency: Balancing movement speed with power consumption.
●​ Stability: Maintaining balance, particularly in legged robots.
●​ Control Systems: Algorithms for real-time navigation and path planning.

Quarter 3 - Module 2: Weeks 2-3 - Status Indicators and Control Interfaces

Experiment: Controlling an LED Using a Button

In this experiment, you will learn how to control an LED using an I/O port and a button on the
Arduino Uno. The I/O port refers to the input and output pins used to read external device
outputs or send signals to control devices.

Components:

●​ Arduino Uno board × 1

●​ USB cable × 1
●​ Resistor (10kΩ) × 1
●​ LED × 1
●​ Button × 1
●​ Capacitor (104) × 1
●​ Breadboard × 1
●​ Jumper wires × 1

Principle:

Buttons serve as switches to control circuits. When the button is pressed, it connects or breaks
a circuit to either send or stop current flow. In this setup, when the button is pressed, pin 12 is
set HIGH, turning on the LED connected to pin 13. When the button is released, pin 12 returns
to LOW, and the LED turns off.

Schematic Diagram:

●​ Pin 1 of the button is connected to Pin 2, while Pin 3 connects to Pin 4. Pin 1 or Pin 2 is
then connected to Pin 3 or Pin 4.

Steps:

1.​ Build the circuit: Connect the components according to the schematic diagram.
2.​ Download and upload the code from GitHub.
3.​ Upload the sketch to the Arduino board.
4.​ Test the system: When the button is pressed, the LED will light up.
Code:
cpp
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// Controlling LED by Button

const int buttonPin = 12; // Button connected to pin 12

const int ledPin = 13; // LED connected to pin 13

int buttonState = 0; // Variable to read the button state

void setup() {
pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT); // Set buttonPin as input
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set ledPin as output
}

void loop() {
buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin); // Read button state
if (buttonState == HIGH) {
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn on LED
} else {
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Turn off LED
}
}

Quarter 3 - Module 3: Weeks 4-5 - Actuators and Locomotion Devices

Servo Motor Basics with Arduino

The Servo Library provides an easy way to control servo motors in Arduino projects. In this
module, you'll control a hobby servo motor using a potentiometer and learn to sweep its position
across a 180-degree range.

Hardware Required:

●​ Arduino Board
●​ Servo Motor
●​ 10k ohm potentiometer
●​ Hook-up wires
●​ Capacitors
●​ Power supply

Powering Servo Motors:

Servo motors vary in their power requirements. For example, the Feetech Mini Servo Motor
requires between 4.8 - 6V and consumes 5–6 mA when idle. When the motor moves, the
current draw increases, potentially reaching up to 800 mA.

Powering Considerations:
 ●​ Operating Voltage Range: Ensure the power supply matches the servo motor's
specifications.
●​ Idle, Running, and Stall Currents: Consider the current draw in different motor states.
●​ Power Supply: Use an external power supply to avoid overloading the Arduino.

Recommended Power Supply: For a 5V servo motor like the Feetech Mini Servo, a 5V, 1A AC
adapter is ideal. Avoid using USB chargers (500mA or 900mA) as they may not provide enough
current for the servo.

Capacitors for Stability: Use a 100 µF capacitor to stabilize the power supply and reduce
electrical noise.

Circuit:

●​ Servo: Connect the power, ground, and signal wires to the appropriate pins.
●​ Potentiometer: Connect the outer pins to 5V and GND, and the middle pin to A0.
●​ Code Example for Knob Control:

cpp
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#include <Servo.h>

Servo myservo;
int potpin = 0;
int val;

void setup() {
myservo.attach(9);
}

void loop() {
val = analogRead(potpin);
val = map(val, 0, 1023, 0, 180);
myservo.write(val);
delay(15);
}

Code for Sweep:

cpp
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#include <Servo.h>

Servo myservo;
int pos = 0;

void setup() {
myservo.attach(9);
}

void loop() {
for (pos = 0; pos <= 180; pos++) {
myservo.write(pos);
delay(15);
}
for (pos = 180; pos >= 0; pos--) {
myservo.write(pos);
delay(15);
}
}

In summary, understanding control interfaces, status indicators, and actuators enables

learners to develop more efficient, effective, and innovative technology solutions. By learning
how to properly interface with systems and devices, students gain the knowledge to create
user-friendly and reliable applications.