Parallax, Inc. • Parallax Line Follower (#29115) • 12/2001
Page 1
599 Menlo Drive, Suite 100
Rocklin, California 95765, USA
Office:
(916) 624-8333
Fax:
(916) 624-8003
General:
Technical:
Web Site:
www.parallaxinc.com
Educational:
www.stampsinclass.com
Parallax Line Follower Module (#29115)
Introduction
Welcome to one of the most exciting and important aspects of robotics: line following. Line following
robots help automate thousands of factories around the world, making the delivery of mail, packages and
materials fast and efficient. And line following is not just for small robots or those that work in factories.
Scientists and engineers have been experimenting with snow plows and even passenger cars that can
follow magnetic lines in “smart” highways. These robotic vehicles can sense the road, obstacles and each
other, eliminating traffic snarls and making our highways safer and easier to travel. Someday we’ll simply
tell our cars where to take us and line following circuitry will help get us there safely and without effort.
With the Parallax Line Follower module, you can experiment with this technology today using your BOE-
Bot.
Features
The Parallax Line Follower module comes pre-assembled and ready to attach to your BOE-Bot. It uses a
multi-sensor array over which you have complete programmatic control. This level of control allows you
to develop line following algorithms that are very simple to those that are very advanced. Since the
module uses reflective sensors, it contains a threshold adjustment that can tune the sensor array to the
ambient light conditions. The Line Follower module connects to the BOE-Bot AppMod socket with a
simple ribbon cable and male-male header.
Packing List
The Parallax Line Follower Module (#29115) package should include the following parts (the source code
included in this documentation is only available for download from
www.parallaxinc.com/linefollower
):
•
Documentation (these pages)
•
Pre-assembled Line Follower module
•
Ribbon cable assembly
•
2x10 dual-row header
•
(2) 1” female-female hex standoff
•
(4) 4/40 x 3/8” screw
•
(2) Nylon washer
•
Parallax screwdriver
Jameco Part Number 202340
