Course Overview

As part of this development track we will learn to build the Raspberry Pi Smart Car – Pi Car S and then program it to perform various tasks. This tutorial provides detailed notes on assembling the different parts including integrating the Raspberry Pi board along with the Pi Car S. You can program the Raspberry Pi Car S in a few different ways, using Dragit a block based programming approach or using the Python libraries provided by SunFounder.

What will you learn 

The Raspberry Pi Smart Car – Pi Car S is a platform that can be used to build a smart robotic car. What you can do with such a platform is only limited by your imagination, however here are some common projects you will be able to create with the Raspberry Pi Smart Car – Pi Car S.

1. Learn to put together a robot based on the Raspberry Pi
2. Learn to setup the Raspberry Pi so that it can be programmed to make the robot perform different tasks
3. Learn how to detect obstacle and navigate around them
4. Learn how to use the light sensor to sense light and perform actions based on the measured values
5. Learn how to line detection module to detect lines (or the absence of it) and navigate around the track
6. Learn how to control the Raspberry Pi Smart Car – Pi Car S remotely
7. Integrate with the cloud (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure), leverage Machine Learning capability / Artificial Intelligence capability, interpret data and perform tasks
8. Connect a camera (Camera is not shipped with the Pi Car S) and see live images, tracking the movement of the Raspberry Pi Smart Car – Pi Car S

Recommended Prior Learning

This is an advanced robotics track and we would highly recommend that you complete some of the other coding, electronics and robotics development tracks before you consider taking up this one.

1. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch I
2. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch II
3. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit I
4. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit II
5. Exploring Coding Concepts Using the BBC micro:bit III
6. Design Interactive Games Using the BBC micro:bit
7. Introduction To Electronics Using The BBC micro:bit – I
8. Fundamentals of robotics with the :Move Mini
9. Exploring the world of robotics with the 4Tronix Bit:Bot
10. Introduction to robotics using the Makeblock Codey Rock
11. Introduction to robotics using the Makeblock mBot
12. Introduction to robotics using the Makeblock mBot Ranger

Hardware Prerequisites –

1. This tutorial makes extensive use of the Raspberry Pi Smart Car (PiCar S) for Raspberry Pi 3/2/B+.
2. If you haven’t purchased a Raspberry Pi 3B+ yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
3. You can pick up both the Raspberry Pi 3B+ and the Raspberry Pi Smart Car (PiCar S) for Raspberry Pi 3/2/B+ at https://www.oztoylib.com.au/.

About the Raspberry Pi Smart Car (PiCar V) for Raspberry Pi 3/2/B+

The PiCar-S is an smart car robot learning kit based on Raspberry Pi. The kit comes equipped with an Ultrasonic object detection module, line following module, light detection sensor to follow the light source, smart car platform with servos, wheel, robot HAT board that fits onto the Raspberry Pi, motor driver, battery holder, etc. The new version of the PiCar-S is designed with features, comes with three whole new circuit boards and simplified wiring setup. The smart car chassis is strong and built to be durable. It is a well-designed structure, solid, durable and shatterproof. You can program the car in Python or using block based programming language. Sample Python code to control the car is provided, and you can also program and debug it with Dragit, a block based graphical interface, by just simple dragging and dropping the code blocks for complex functions.

There are many ways to control the robot remotely. You could use the application on the PC (works on any OS) to control the car. You can control the camera’s direction including seeing the images through the camera in real time. You can also perform control the car and view the camera using either a web browser including from mobile devices i.e. phones, tablets, etc. The Raspberry Pi Smart Car (PiCar V) kit for the Raspberry Pi is a great way to dive into the awesome world of robotics and build on your own STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning journey.

About the Raspberry Pi 3B+

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Plus) is the latest version of the Raspberry Pi. Just add a keyboard, mouse, display, power supply, micro SD card with installed Linux Distribution and you’ll have a fully fledged computer that can run applications from word processors and spreadsheets to games. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ builds upon the features of its predecessors with a new, faster processor on board to increase its speed. It also features on-board WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities to enhance the functionality and the ability to power more powerful devices over the USB ports.  The latest Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ has a faster 64-bit 1.4GHz quad core processor, 1GB of RAM, faster dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.2, and significantly faster 300Mbit/s ethernet.

About SunFounder

SunFounder is a technology company focused on Raspberry Pi and Arduino open source community development. SunFounder is committed to the promotion of open source culture, they strive to
bring the fun of electronics making to people all around the world and enable everyone to be a maker. SunFounder builds products that include learning kits, development boards, robots, sensor modules and development tools. In addition to high quality products, SunFounder also offers video tutorials to help you make your own project. You can read more about SunFounder at – https://www.sunfounder.com