REMOTE PROGRAMMING OF A TURTLE ROBOT

• Main Author: ZAINAL ABIDIN, AHMAD SHAHIR SAFFUAN
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2013
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/13437/1/10.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/13437/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

Turtle graphics is a subset of Logo programming language, used extensively to introduce programming to children. Conventionally the turtle is visually represented on the computer screen as an object that performs movements based on the set of instructions issued by a programmer. A similar robotic turtle that can be programmed using turtle graphics commands should enhance the learning experience as well as sustain the interest of young programmers that the programming language is intended for. Programming the robot can be achieved by entering the commands directly onto the robot or on a separate terminal. The terminal can be attached via a wire, or wireless. Programming using a wireless programming terminal, which is more practical, can be achieved either via over-the-air (OTA) method or remote control. A hybrid of the two methods is also possible where commands are sent one line at a time the turtle robot to be interpreted and suitable movement performed. The hybrid method is proposed for this project so that the system will be more flexible and extensible for further development in future. There are two types of interpreter (Mark 1 and Mark 2) created as the result from this project which has different way in term of system, communication between graphic and robot, and the instruction’s execution. Both interpreters have advantages and disadvantages which involved delay processing, transferring data, and instruction’s execution. Mark 1 interpreter is chosen as the Turtle Graphic Interpreter based on the advantages (discussed in the result section) and a list of logo command is created based on the graphic interpreter Mark 1.