September 2-6, 2019

Plan: I wanted to finalize a project idea and complete some background research.

Procedures: I discussed ideas with various people (including my parents and other mentors). I did background research one one topic, although I later decided to do a different project. 

Progress: I narrowed down my project and project area significantly. I plan to rewrite my project proposal and work on the pitch presentation over the weekend.

Problems: I originally thought I would like to do one project, but I later decided that it was better for me to pick a different project. This is only a setback due to the time spent researching the previous project that could have been used to further develop the current project.

September 9-13, 2019

Plan: Research deeper into project idea and finalize actual project. 

Procedures: I looked into various papers to find previous projects done in IoT with relation to swarms and biomimicry. I found previous framework that would be useful to my project. 

Progress: I further narrowed down my project and created a timeline. I did the pre-proposal presentation and got feedback on my idea. I completed background research and made my website.

Problems: I did not have that many problems this week. I was confused about some parts of the background research but I later got that clarified. Other then that this week I didn’t have any major problems. 

September 16-20, 2019

Plan: Research deeper into project idea and finalize actual project. 

Procedures: I researched into various aspects of my project for background research. I focused my research into processing, communication, and building. 

Progress: I completed my background research and made any necessary revisions.

Problems: I did not have any problems this week. I had to redo some background research by adding more specific details (to solve this, I included diagrams).

September 23-27, 2019

Plan: Research deeper into project idea and finalize actual project. 

Procedures: I researched into various aspects of my project for the purchase spreadsheet. I broke my spreadsheet down into two lists, one with arduino components and one with pi components. I will make a decision on how to do it next week. 

Progress: I completed my purchase spreadsheet. 

Problems: I did not have any problems this week. I got kind of overwhelmed by the different possibilities for parts. I think by narrowing down the project and by dividing up the spreadsheet into two columns I can make an informed decision. 

September 30-Oct 4, 2019

Plan: Research deeper into project idea to complete project proposal.

Procedures: I researched into various aspects of my projects for the project proposal. 

Progress: I completed my research proposal. 

Problems: I had to really flesh out my project for it, but other than that there were no problems.

Oct 7-11, 2019

Plan: Research deeper into project idea to complete project proposal and project presentation.

Procedures: I researched into various aspects of my projects for the project proposal and project presentation.

Progress: I completed my research proposal and presentation.

Problems: I had to really flesh out my project for it, but other than that there were no problems.

Oct 14-18, 2019

Plan: Research into the specific parts to ensure compatibility. Plan CAD.

Procedures: I looked into each of the parts to make sure they would work together. I also considered what I would need to CAD.

Progress: I put the necessary parts on the order sheet and I began CAD, which I plan on finishing over the weekend and on Monday.

Problems: I realized that the WiFi chip may or may not be compatible with the Pi the way I want it to be. I plan on ordering the WiFi chip if necessary at a later date. I decided to only order one Pi and one camera for now, see how that works, and order more parts later. 

Oct 21-25, 2019

Plan: Finish CAD.

Procedures: I tried to get my sketch done.

Progress: I made sketch but it wasn’t very good, and I did it in OnShape.

Problems: It wasn’t good because I need box joints, which I will do later in Fusion so that it’s better (for me to laser cut). I’m looking forward to next week for lab service.

Oct 28-Nov 1, 2019

Plan: Wait for parts. Start actual CAD.

Procedures: Wait and plan CAD.

Progress: I planned the CAD. I also got a part: (Raspberry Pi)

Problems: None.

Nov 4-Nov 8, 2019

Plan: Wait for parts. Start actual CAD.

Procedures: Wait and plan CAD.

Progress: I created the timeline.

Problems: None.

Nov 11-Nov 15, 2019

Plan: Connect to the camera and build the chassis. 

Procedures: Connect to the Pi and then get the camera working. Build the chassis and connect the motors, etc. 

Progress + Problems: This week was not as productive as it could have been. I got the camera and figured out how to plug it into the Pi. I could avoid building the chassis by using the 3pi polulu robot but it’s more complicated because the polulu doesn’t have a CSI port = it can’t connect to the camera. As a result, I plan on using a master/slave construct with Rpi3b+ and 3pi. However, when I went to connect to the camera on my Rpi3b+, I could not because of the lack of microSD card. But at least the Rpi3b+ turns on -- and I’m sure it’s compatible with the camera. 

Nov 18-Nov 22, 2019

Plan: Connect to the camera and get Pi up and working

Procedures: Connect to the Pi and then get the camera working.

Progress + Problems: This week was so good. I got the microSD card. I made the pi work. I took a picture with the pi. Pictures of the stuff will be added in soon.

Dec 2-Dec 6, 2019

Plan: Connect to the camera and get Pi up and working. 

Procedures: Connect to the Pi and then get the camera working. Write a python script to take the pictures.

Progress + Problems: This week was not good. My project was stolen. So I had to redo all of last week’s work, and then I made some additional progress as well by writing a python script. 

Dec 9-Dec 13, 2019

Plan: Start video processing part and order a part.

Procedures: I’ve been working on the video processing with opencv. I ordered the part that will allow me to connect to the 3pi.

Progress + Problems: I’ve made some good progress but I’ve ran into a couple errors which I’m working on solving with the video processing. Hopefully I can get a robot moving once the parts come in. 

Dec 16-Dec 20, 2019

Plan: Work on the video processing portion and receive the part to begin working on the 3pi stuff.

Procedures:  I’ve been working on the video processing with opencv by following a tutorial for the python code. I got the part that will allow me to connect to the 3pi.

Progress + Problems: I’ve made some good progress but I’ve ran into a couple errors which I’m working on solving with the video processing. I plan on working on the mobility aspect of the robot and integrating that with the video processing when I come back from break.

Jan 6-Jan 10, 2020

Plan: Work on the video processing portion and plan out 3pi stuff.

Procedures:  I have to download a bunch of stuff to make the cv part work.

Progress + Problems: I worked on a  bit of the mobility aspect of the robot and integrating that with the video processing when I come back from break. For the video processing I had to download a ton of packages. 

Jan 13-Jan 17, 2020

Plan: Work on the video processing portion and 3pi motion.

Procedures:  Continue to install software/work on code to implement video processing portion. Get the 3pi to move.

Progress + Problems: I continued to work on the mobility aspect of the robot and integrating that with the video processing. For the video processing I continued to download a ton of packages.