Milestone 2 Report

Milestone 2 Report (Prepared by: Joshua Burkhart)

Intended Progress: Describe the features/components you wanted to complete by this milestone.

By this point in time, we had intended to research parts, order parts, receive parts, assemble the GPS shield, interface the GPS Shield with an arduino, and begin interfacing the motor driver and motors with an arduino.

Progress To Date: Describe what the team have been doing towards completing the tasks involved in realizing the current milestone objectives.

Progress to date is 4 days ahead of schedule according to our initial gantt chart. We have successfully interfaced the motor driver / motors with an arduino. We are currently in the process of building a mobile power source and plan to begin implementing navigation logic soon.

Projected Progress: What will you do in the next project phase in terms of code development, testing, integration and debugging. How will the team adjust its workload in order to compensate for current rates of progress in the chosen development areas, and how will work towards the next milestone be organised.

According to our gantt chart, the current project phase involves interfacing the motor driver and motors with the arduino microcontroller. This has been achieved ahead of schedule and we have moved on to building a mobile power source and will soon begin implementing navigation logic. Code development will be in the C-like ‘Processing’ language with special regard payed to minimal resource use. Testing our mobile power source will consist of using a multimeter to determine correct voltage (9vDC-12vDC) and current (500mA-670mA) is delivered to the unit. Testing the gps navigation logic will include walking around campus with the device, logging print statements and errors. Debugging the mobile power source may include rearranging batteries / wiring. Debugging the navigation logic will include examining logged errors, editing the code, and retesting the device. The current rate of progress is 4 days ahead of schedule. No scheduling adjustments are required at this milestone. Work will continue as planned towards the next milestone.

Problems Encountered: Comment on any significant problems with technical progress or group management. This is a chance to get input from the team's instructor on fruitful avenues for addressing technical problems or group management issues.

The gps shield does not seem to be able to determine orientation. A digital compass was ordered and will be integrated with the vehicle as device orientation is required.

Conclusion: Brief overview of the status of the group and project overall.

In conclusion, though yet another part was required, we remain on schedule.