AUTONOMOUS TRACKING ROBOT

OVERVIEW

This project set out to design and build a low-cost autonomous robot capable of identifying and following paths or objects. While the initial design was simple, the concept carried far-reaching potential — from delivering medical supplies in remote areas to serving as a robotic guide dog. For the team, the project represented an opportunity to step beyond the classroom and apply engineering principles to a real, socially impactful challenge. 

OBJECTIVE

• Develop an autonomous robot that could move reliably across different surfaces.

• Design a system powered by lightweight electronics and programmed to recognise and track objects or paths.

• Gain practical experience in balancing hardware limitations with software ambition.

Approach 

The team assembled a full robotic system, integrating:

• Chassis, motors, and batteries for movement and stability.

• A microcontroller and camera for navigation and object recognition.

• Detection algorithms, developed and tested in a virtual environment before real-world implementation.

The process combined mechanical design, electronics integration, and programming, providing a comprehensive learning experience in both hardware and software engineering.

Outcomes 

• Produced a working prototype of an object-tracking autonomous robot.

• Gained practical experience in system integration, algorithm testing, and real-world engineering trade-offs.

• Identified key limitations — such as motor strength and component reliability — that will inform future iterations of the project.