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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01gh93gz618
Title: The Design of an Autonomous Human Tracking Robot with Pacing Applications
Authors: Becker, Daniel
Advisors: Nosenchuck, Daniel
Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Class Year: 2013
Abstract: Given the increasing necessity for modern consumer products to facilitate physical exercise, a robotic pacer was developed to aid runners in their training. The proposed robot uses a multi-sensor approach to identify and track several humans in a cone behind the robot. The motors, chassis, and wheels of a two-wheel-drive robot were first obtained in order to develop and refine the robot's human tracking capabilities. Various sensors were chosen to process human position data using onboard microcontrollers and a Raspberry Pi. A 56 kHz infrared beacon triggers the output of five directional IR modules that continuously determine the human's angle relative to the center of the robot. A facial recognition algorithm was then developed to run on a backwards pointing camera which was connected to the Raspberry Pi. Sensor measurements were combined through use of a sensor fusion algorithm to better estimate the trailing human's position relative to the robot. Lastly, dynamical equations were implemented based on these estimated values to allow the robot to compensate and stay in front of a walking human while the human moved relatively forwards.
Extent: 38 pages
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01gh93gz618
Access Restrictions: Walk-in Access. This thesis can only be viewed on computer terminals at the Mudd Manuscript Library.
Type of Material: Princeton University Senior Theses
Language: en_US
Appears in Collections:Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 1924-2023

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