A deep dive into creating an autonomous robot that communicates using Morse code, covering hardware design, sensor integration, and algorithmic implementation.
Introduction
In this project, I set out to build a robot using LEGO EV3 that could encode and transmit messages using Morse code. The challenge combined hardware design, sensor programming, and algorithmic thinking.
The Problem
Creating a robot system that could:
- Accept text input from the user
- Convert text to Morse code
- Transmit Morse code using visual or audio signals
- Provide feedback during transmission
Hardware Design
I designed the robot with the following components:
- LEGO EV3 Intelligent Brick (main controller)
- Large motors for movement
- LED lights for visual Morse code output
- Sound sensors for audio feedback
- Touch sensors for user interaction
Software Implementation
The core algorithm involved creating a lookup table for Morse code characters and implementing timing logic for dots and dashes. I used the EV3 software's block programming initially, then transitioned to EV3 Python for more flexibility.
# Simplified Morse code encoder
MORSE_CODE = {
'A': '.-', 'B': '-...', 'C': '-.-.', 'D': '-..',
'E': '.', 'F': '..-.', 'G': '--.', 'H': '....',
# ... more characters
}
def encode_to_morse(text):
return ' '.join([MORSE_CODE.get(char.upper(), '')
for char in text])Challenges and Solutions
One major challenge was timing accuracy. Morse code requires precise timing, and the EV3 brick's timing wasn't always consistent. I solved this by using hardware timers and calibrating based on the system clock.
Results
The robot successfully transmitted messages in Morse code with about 95% accuracy. The visual LED output was clear, and the timing was consistent enough for manual decoding.
Lessons Learned
- Hardware timing requires careful calibration
- User feedback is crucial for debugging
- Simple algorithms can be surprisingly effective