robotics/Apr 2026
Autonomous Racing Robot
A self-navigating bot tuned for speed and obstacle avoidance.
OVERVIEW
Built a two-wheel differential drive robot capable of autonomous navigation on a marked track. The system uses IR sensors for line detection, ultrasonic ranging for collision avoidance, and a custom PID loop for smooth cornering.
THE PROBLEM
Campus robotics competitions demanded a robot that could complete a lap in minimum time while reliably avoiding dynamic obstacles — without any external control.
THE APPROACH
Iteratively tuned PID constants (Kp, Ki, Kd) through trial on real track segments. The sensor fusion logic runs a robust state machine.
LEARNINGS
Real hardware is unforgiving. Sensor noise, voltage sag under load, and mechanical play are all things you can't simulate.