Derby robots teach MCU-based design

Students at the University of Derby work with autonomous guided vehicles manoeuvred not by a remote control, but by one or more built-in PIC microcontrollers.

The Derbot is the brainchild of University of Derby electronics expert Tim Wilmshurst - an autonomous guided vehicle manoeuvred not by a remote control, but by one or more built-in PIC microcontrollers.

Electronics students based within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology, have been set the task of adapting the Derbot into different versions for everyday use as part of their degree courses.

More than 40 students over the last two years have built their own Derbots - with some projects including light-seeking and light-sensitive robots, as well as those aware of where different objects or barriers are in the room.

One, created by Final Year student John Toplis was particularly novel - a barking dog burglar alarm.

Wilmshurst, who joined Derby from the University of Cambridge, said: "I am very impressed by some of the ways the students have adapted the Derbot".

"The barking dog alarm in particular was very novel".

"John built in sensors into his robot so that whenever it 'heard' a noise it began to bark".

"Yes, it is quirky, but it could also have very practical home security benefits - for people who want the security of a dog without having to look after a real one".

"If an intruder hears something moving about inside a house barking they will think twice about breaking in".

Toplis showed further creativity with his design - the barking noise came from a microchip found inside a canine-themed musical Christmas greetings card.

Toplis, 28, who works for Rock Mechanics Technology, in Swadlincote, and said: "I found the embedded systems module stimulating, the teaching method of backing up theory with practical design of a potential product was a great way to learn".

The Derbot provides students with an attractive start-point for their projects, a basic core design of a robot, and Wilmshurst says they have gone onto show "considerable elegance and infectious enthusiasm" with their final designs.

Wilmshurst's Derbot can be applied to develop student's skills at two levels: a beginner's level to introduce them to microcontrollers and electronic assembly, and a more advanced level where sophisticated multitasking can be implemented, using a real-time operating system.

It's an exciting time for the electronics team which will move into new technology laboratories at the university's GBP 20 million Markeaton building in September, as part of a new learning and working environment for the Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology.

Wilmshurst explains more about the current Derbot design in his book "Designing embedded systems with PIC microcontrollers: principles and practice", published by Elsevier Books, and now on sale.

The book is a hands-on introduction to the principles and practice of embedded system design using the PIC microcontroller and will appeal to engineers of all ages and skills.

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