2. Line Following

3pi Exhibition at LVBots Challenge 4.0

The following unedited video shows six 3pi prototypes running simultaneously on the same line-race course. Each robot was programmed independently, but as you can see, the results were remarkably consistent. The last one on the line wins!

3pi Spinning Line Follower (by Byon)

Byon wrote a program that turns the 3pi into a spinning line follower that blinks its red LED every time it’s over the front part of the line. This isn’t the fastest line follower out there, but it is one of the most original. You can find his code here and use it to make your own spinning line follower! Note that the code requires the Pololu AVR library.

Fast Line Follower on a Small Course

IceFlinger shows off his fast 3pi line follower. It is running the sample PID line-following code provided by Pololu with improved PID constants so that it can hold the line while going around sharp turns at high speed. He won the event he entered at the 2009 Eastern Canada Robot Games competition.

Desktop Entertainment

MonkeyFCoconut writes: “My desk at work makes for a nice canvas to put down some black tape and make a line following robot track. I’ve wanted to do this for years, and just finally broke down and bought an awexome robot to play with. This robot is powered ‘logically’ by the ATMega328p processor, which is nice if you are familiar with Arduino projects.”

Tech Fest 3pi Line Follower (by RoboticsProfessor)

For pictures and information, please see the San Diego Tech-Fest, Winter 2009 web site.

Speeding Up on Straightaways (by leenstl)

3pi (No-MOD) Robot Laser Pointer Follower (by Jason)

Jason has programmed his 3pi to follow a laser pointer rather than a line. He started a forum thread about his project and provides his source code for those who want to try it for themselves. The only additional hardware required is a laser pointer.

Waiter Robot

Waiter Robot can make a “Robot Bar” for your next exhibition, show, private event, or sales promotion. They use the 3pi to deliver food and drinks in an remarkable way. March 2011.

Large 3pi Line-following Course

Video of a large, white-on-black 3pi line-following course from Osamu Iwasaki’s Vimeo channel.