A simulated logistic distribution platform for delivery and supply

• Main Author: Sasidharan, Sadil
• Other Authors: Lim Meng Hiot
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67976
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Real-world operational logistics can be made more efficient and reliable through the help of electronics and robotics. This efficiency is the key in allowing the industry to maintain its competitive edge. Hence, innovative solutions to current problems and creative alternatives to existing solutions are necessary for the progression of the Logistic and Distribution platform. In order to facilitate research, development and trials of new technological solutions, there must first be a keen interest in the field. The most ideal time to cultivate such interests in Singapore would be during the secondary school education. That is when the students are exposed to a wide variety of enrichment programs aimed at satisfying their curious minds. Ministry of Education (MOE) has also placed greater importance on programming at an earlier stage in recent years. In order to cultivate interest in robotics and electronics related solutions, a hands-on approach for both the hardware and software (programming) is required. This project has two main aims. The first would be to create a robot from the ground up using parts that are easily and cheaply available and document the process of the creation so that it can be used as a teaching platform to introduce secondary school students to robotics and programming. The second would be to provide an alternative means of identifying stations or distribution points. Stations are recognized using barcodes or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). These systems are reliable. However, it is not cost-efficient to implement in a laboratory environment that simulates a logistic network. This project aims to use a grayscale sensor to sense black bars of various widths pasted on the ground to identify the stations and allow easy modifications in programming of the sensor.