What it shows
IR sensors shine infrared light at the floor: white reflects it and black absorbs it. The controller reads which sensor sees the line and steers the motors to stay on it.
This idea has a short entry only. For the science behind it, read the sentence above with your textbook and ask your teacher to explain the law or idea it shows, so you can describe it in your own words.
Materials
- An Arduino or a comparator board
- Two or more IR sensor modules
- A motor driver and two geared motors
- A chassis, wheels and a castor
- Black tape on a white sheet for the track
Safety
This project uses safe, everyday materials. Still, read the rules below with a parent before you start.
Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.
All the safety rulesHow to go about it
Numbered steps have not been written for this idea yet. Plan it with your teacher: sketch the design with measurements, build one part at a time, test each part, and write every observation with the date. The free ebooks below have step-by-step projects of the same kind.
Free ebooks for this project
Robotics
Build a Line Follower Robot
A complete build guide with two IR sensors, an L298N driver and Arduino