Chrome Dino Game Player

The Chrome Dino Game Player project is an innovative application that combines hardware and software to spark the joy in robotic projects. There is a 100 RPM BDC Motor with an Encoder is used as an actuator, and an Ambient Light Sensor Module is used as the input sensor, to differentiate the dark colored obstacles from the free road

About Tools and Materials:

SMD Red (Purchase Here)

SMD USB Gateway (Purchase Here)

Arduino Gateway Module (Purchase Here)

100 RPM BDC Motor with Encoder (Purchase Here)

Ambient Light Sensor Module (Purchase Here)

Step 1: Hardware & Software Overview

Project Key Components

1. SMD

   The SMD acts as a bridge between the script and the modules. It is responsible for interpreting the commands sent by the script and translating them into actions that read input from the Ambient Light Sensor Module and actuate the DC motor precisely.

2. 100 RPM BDC Motor with Encoder:

   The 100 RPM BDC Motor with Encoder allows the user to press the spacebar when an obstacle is detected. The built-in encoder is the key to control the position of the motor, thus, the user can use the motor to rapidly and repeteadly press the key and get high scores.

3. Ambient Light Sensor Module

   The Ambient Light Sensor Module is used to detect the emitted light differences of the dark obstacles and white free road. The module can differentiate thousands of levels of ambient light in terms of lux.

4. SMD Libraries

   The SMD library is at the heart of the application. It communicates with the SMD using a specific communication protocol, sending commands to read the Ambient Light Sensor Module and actuate the BDC motor.

Project Key Features

• Dynamic Obstacle Detection

  The Ambient Light Sensor Module that is controlled by the SMD can detect surroundings ambient light intensity several times in a second. It allows to the system to be dynamic and responsive.

• Responsive and Real-time Gameplay

  The script continuously monitors the ambient light level, it can be printed on the terminal for more precise control editings and monitoring.

Step 2: Assemble

Getting Started

1. Hardware Setup

   • Connect the SMD to the PC or Arduino board using USB Gateway Module or Arduino Gateway Module.

   • Connect the 100 RPM BDC Motor with Encoder to the motor ports of the SMD and the Ambient Light Sensor Module to the SMD using an RJ-45 cable.

   • Make sure that the SMD is powered and all connections are correct.

2. Software Integration

   • Implement the cursor of the BDC motor to the spacebar of the keyboard, test the code if the motor can precisely press and release the spacebar. Change the position values in set_position function if key is not pressed and released correctly.

Project Wiring Diagram

Step 3: Run & Test

1. Run the Application

   • Execute the script and launch the Chrome Dino Game.

   • Observe how the DC motor actuates according to the ambient light intensity and make high scores.

Project Codes

Python Code

from serial.tools.list_ports import comports
from platform import system
import time
from smd.red import *

baudrate = 115200           # Baud rate of communication
ID = 0                      # ID of the SMD board
ambient_module_id = 5       # ID of the ambient light sensor module


def USB_Port():
    """
    Scans and identifies a compatible USB port for the current operating system.

    Returns:
        str: The detected USB port or None if no suitable port is found.
    """
    # Get a list of available ports
    ports = list(comports())
    
    # Known USB port names for different operating systems
    usb_names = {
        "Windows": ["USB Serial Port"],  # Names specific to Windows
        "Linux": ["/dev/ttyUSB"],        # Names specific to Linux
        "Darwin": [                      # Names specific to macOS
            "/dev/tty.usbserial",
            "/dev/tty.usbmodem",
            "/dev/tty.SLAB_USBtoUART",
            "/dev/tty.wchusbserial",
            "/dev/cu.usbserial",
        ]
    }

    # Detect the operating system
    os_name = system()
    print(f"Operating System: {os_name}")

    if ports:
        for port in ports:
            # Check if the port matches any known USB names
            if any(name in port.device or name in port.description for name in usb_names.get(os_name, [])):
                print(f"USB device detected on port: {port.device}")
                return port.device  # Return the first matching port
        # If no suitable port is found, print the list of available ports
        print("No suitable USB device found. Available ports:")
        for port in ports:
            print(f"Port: {port.device}, Description: {port.description}, HWID: {port.hwid}")
    else:
        print("No ports detected!")
    return None


try:
    # Find a valid serial port
    SerialPort = USB_Port()
    if not SerialPort:
        raise Exception("No compatible USB port found. Please check your connection.")

    print(f"Using serial port: {SerialPort}")

    # Initialize the SMD module
    master = Master(SerialPort, baudrate)       # Defines the USB gateway module
    master.attach(Red(ID))                      # Gives access to the SMD of specified ID

    # Motor and control configuration
    master.set_shaft_rpm(ID, 100)                               # Sets the RPM value of the motor
    master.set_shaft_cpr(ID, 6533)                              # Sets the CPR value of the motor
    master.set_operation_mode(ID, 1)                            # Sets the operation mode to 'Position Control'
    master.set_control_parameters_position(ID, 10, 0, 50)       # Sets the PID parameters, can be auto-tuned instead
    master.enable_torque(ID, 1)                                 # Enables the motor to spin if any command says so

    # Main loop
    while True:
        # Get ambient light data from the sensor
        light = master.get_light(ID, ambient_module_id)         # Variable to store the ambient light data
        print(f"Ambient light level: {light}")                  # Printing the value to observe

        if light < 30:                                          # If it detects obstacles (black reflects less light)
            master.set_position(ID, 1000)                       # Motor moves to the spacebar key location
            time.sleep(0.2)
            master.set_position(ID, 0)                          # Motor returns to the start position
        else:
            master.set_position(ID, 0)                          # Stays at the start position if there are no obstacles

except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error: {e}")

Arduino Code

#include <Acrome-SMD.h>

#define ID        0           // ID of the SMD board
#define BAUDRATE  115200      // Baud rate of the communication

Red master(ID, Serial, BAUDRATE);   // Defines the Arduino gateway module

int ambient_module_id = 1;          // ID of the ambient light sensor module

int light = 0;                      // Variable to store the ambient light data

void setup() {
    master.begin();                 // Starts the communication
    master.scanModules();           // Scans for the connected modules

    master.setMotorRPM(100);        // Sets the RPM value of the motor
    master.setMotorCPR(6533);       // Sets the CPR value of the motor

    master.setOperationMode(PositionControl);                           // Sets the operation mode to 'Position Control'
    master.setControlParameters(PositionControl, 10, 0, 50, 0, 0);       // Sets the PID parameters, can be auto-tuned instead
    master.torqueEnable(1);                                             // Enables the motor to spin if any command say so
}

void loop() {
    light = master.getLight(ambient_module_id);     // Getting the ambient light value and storing it
    
    if (light < 30) {                               // If it sees obstacles, which are black, so will emit less light than other colors
        master.setpoint(PositionControl, 1000);     // Motor goes to the spacebar key location, change position value if it doesn't reach
        delay(200);
        master.setpoint(PositionControl, 0);        // Motor goes back to the start position
    }

    else {
        master.setpoint(PositionControl, 0);        // Stays at the start position if there are no obstacles
    }
}