Mario Kart Battle Royale Robot

Objective:
To design and construct a robot capable of competing in the balloon battle game mode of Mario Kart, using a single-axis shooting mechanism, image detection, and mecanum wheels for autonomous navigation.

Project Description:
The Mario Kart Battle Royale Robot project aimed to create a machine capable of participating in the robot version of the balloon battle game mode found in Mario Kart. The robot's specifications included a size limitation of 14” in length x 12” in width and a maximum height of 12”. Additionally, the project adhered to a budget constraint of $200 for the robot. The primary objective was to enable the robot to navigate a Battle Royal field while simultaneously attempting to strike the opponent's balloon.

Responsibilities:
Design and Construction: Designed and constructed the robot to meet the specified size, budget, and functionality requirements.
Shooting Mechanism: Implemented a single-axis shooting mechanism integrated with the Pixi camera for opponent balloon detection and Nerf foam ball shooting.
Motor Control: Managed mecanum wheels coupled with D.C. Motors, utilizing Arduino IDE for autonomous bot trajectory.
System Integration: Integrated two Arduinos, an Arduino Mega for driving control and an Arduino Nano for the shooting system, connected to a Raspberry Pi.

Challenges:
Serial Communication: Overcame challenges in serial communication between the Raspberry Pi and the Arduinos due to changing communication ports.
Orientation Requirement: Dealt with the need for the robot to be physically oriented towards the opponent's robot for balloon detection and shooting, leading to challenges with mecanum wheel navigation and drifting.

Outcome:
The Mario Kart Battle Royale Robot project proved to be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. It provided the team with valuable experience in designing and constructing a competitive robot for a game. The project also offered insights into communication systems, motor control, and image detection, enhancing the team's capabilities for future robotics projects.