Robots

Welcome to Page Three

June 28, 2017

Started with the CamJam code for using the distance sensor. Next, I took a dive into using GPIO Zero to accomplish the same goal.

Experimenting with the sensor, right away you’ll see there is a lot of stuff built in:

from gpiozero import DistanceSensor
from time import sleep

Then instantiate your DistanceSensor object and begin taking measurements:

sensor = DistanceSensor(echo=18, trigger=17, threshold_distance=0.15, max_distance=1)

def getDistance():
        d = round((sensor.distance * 100),1)
        return d

minDistance = 15

Put it all together inside of a Try statement:

try:
        while True:
                distance = getDistance()
                if distance > minDistance:
                        print('Distance to nearest object is', distance, 'cm. Forward!')
                else:
                        print('Object detected at', distance, 'cm. Reverse!')
                sleep(2)

except KeyboardInterrupt:
        print('\n')
        print('Stopping program')

Tada! You’re well on your way to avoiding objects using the ultrasonic sensor! Next time I’ll go into a little more detail putting this together with controlling the motors.

Yippie! This page will contain posts related to the CamJam EduKit 3.

Unless otherwise noted, code for the CamJam EduKit 3 will be in Python 3. Opinions expressed here are my own and not associated with Cambridge Raspberry Jam or The Pi Hut. Occasionally, I’ll be experimenting with GPIO Zero, created by Ben Nuttall of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Dave Jones and other contributors. Many thanks to all of the above for their many contributions to the DIY maker community!

Have you noticed the amazing coincidences occuring on this site yet? Page three - Python 3 - EduKit 3. Mind boggling, isn’t it?