Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Shankar, Ravi

Abstract

This report describes the development of a low cost open source semiautonomous robotic car and a way to communicate with it. It is a continuation of prior research done by other students at FAU and published in recent ASEE conferences. The objective of this project was the development of a new robotic platform with improved precision over the original, while still keeping the cost down. It was developed with the aim to allow a hands-on approach to the teaching of mathematics topics that are taught in the K-12 syllabus. Improved robustness and reliability of the robotic platform for visually solving math problems was achieved using a combination of PID loops to keep track of distance and rotation. The precision was increased by changing the position of the encoders to the shafts of each motor. A mobile application was developed to allow the student to draw the geometric shapes on the screen before the car draws them. The mobile application consists of two parts, the canvas that the user uses to draw the figure and the configure section that lets the user change the parameters of the controller. Results show that the robot can draw standard geometric and complex geometric shapes. It has high precision and sufficient accuracy, the accuracy can be improved with some mechanical adjustments. During testing a Pythagorean triangle was drawn to show visually the key mathematics concept. The eventual goal of this project will be a K-12 class room study to obtain the feedback of the teachers and students on the feasibility of using a robotic car to teach math. Subsequent to that necessary changes will be made to manufacture a unit that is easy to assemble by the teacher.

Extent

93 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00004712

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS