Project Name: Fairway Finder


Project Functional Description:

The autonomous golf caddy is a portable, self-driving device designed to carry a golfer's bag and follow them throughout a golf course. It provides hands-free assistance, allowing users to focus entirely on their game without the physical strain of transporting heavy equipment. The device performs the following primary functions:
Primary Functions:
  1. Follow-Me Navigation
    a.The caddy autonomously tracks and follows the user while maintaining a safe and consistent distance.
    b. Transmit GPS coordiante data from GNSS module to MCU and from phone to MCU via bluetooth. Then use the 2 GPS coordiantes to bring the robot closer to the desitination.
  2. Golf Bag Transportation
    a. Securely holds a standard golf bag up
    b. Withstands typical golf course terrains
  3. User Interaction
    a. Simple controls (e.g. stop/start, and manual override) allow the user to interact with the caddy.
    b. Kill switch to turn off robot
  4. Portability
    a. Designed for easy transport to and from the golf course, with a compact design suitable for storage in vehicles.
  5. Power Management
    a. Operates for 1 hour on a single battery charge
    b. Uses a 12V battery for the motors, 5V and 3.3V for other hardware modules.
  6. Mobile App
    a. Connection between device and human using a mobile app and bluetooth.
    b. Enables manual controls and alters robots functionality.


Stretch Functionality


a. Navigates around obstacles on golf course
b. Manual override to avoid green, sand traps, water, rough areas, etc.
c. Optional hardware PSDR (Hardware): An ability to interface between ultrasonic sensors and an MCU.
d. Ability to have the IMU's magnetometer transmit positioning data to the MCU over SPI for naviagation purposes.
e.It avoids obstacles in real-time to ensure uninterrupted movement and avoid collisions.
f. Simple status and alerts communication (e.g., low battery, moving in reverse notice)


Project Specific Design Requirements (PSDRs):

  1. PSDR #1 (Hardware): An ability to accept 12VDC from a battery and create voltage at 5VDC using a buck converting circuit(s).
    2. LDO LM1117 Regulator to 3.3V
  2. PSDR #2 (Hardware): An ability to transmit and receive information from the MCU to a Bluetooth module over the UART communication protocol.
  3. PSDR #3 (Hardware): An ability to control two DC motors using a PWM wave from a microcontroller to two individual H-Bridge motor controllers.
  4. PSDR #4 (Software): An ability to transmit and receive motor control signals via bluetooth from a phone app.
  5. PSDR #5 (Software): An ability to transmit GPS coordinates from GNSS module to MCU.

STRETCH Project Specific Design Requirements (PSDRs):

  1. PSDR #1: Ability to have the IMU's magnetometer transmit positioning data to the MCU over SPI for navigation purposes.