IJ
Ivan Jovanovski
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IJ
Ivan Jovanovski

Electrical Engineer building practical solutions in energy systems, automotive electronics, and embedded systems.

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Autonomous Outdoor Navigation Platform

roboticsnavigationultrasonicinductive-sensingoutdoor
General

Project Overview

Small outdoor robot for lawn-scale navigation using ultrasonic sensors and a perimeter-wire guidance system with 7kHz inductive detection for reliable boundary tracking.

Version:v1.0
Time:~40.0 hours
Cost:~$200
Status:complete

Materials

  • Robot Chassis with Motors × 1
  • Ultrasonic Distance Sensors (HC-SR04) × 4
  • Microcontroller (Arduino/STM32) × 1
  • Motor Driver (L298N or similar) × 1
  • Perimeter Wire (100m) × 1
  • Signal Generator Board (7kHz) × 1
  • Inductive Receiver Coil × 1
  • Op-Amp for Signal Amplification × 1

Tools

  • Oscilloscope
  • Multimeter
  • Soldering Station
  • Wire Stripper

Build Steps

1. Chassis & Motor Setup

⏱️ ~5.0h

Built a small outdoor test robot with differential drive. Mounted ultrasonic sensors for basic obstacle detection.

2. Ultrasonic Sensor Tuning

⏱️ ~4.0h

Tuned sensor placement and implemented simple filtering to get reliable readings on grass and uneven ground, reducing false triggers from ground echoes.

3. Perimeter Wire System

⏱️ ~8.0h

Added perimeter-wire guidance: buried 7kHz loop with receiver coil and basic amplification stage to detect the magnetic field near the boundary.

4. Navigation Logic

⏱️ ~6.0h

Implemented navigation logic that keeps the robot inside the loop and slows/stops when perimeter signal weakens. Verified stable behavior in repeated boundary runs.

Results

Reliable outdoor navigation within perimeter boundaries with obstacle avoidance.

  • Perimeter Detection Range: 30 cm
  • Obstacle Detection: 2 m

Safety Notes

Test in enclosed area first. Ensure emergency stop is accessible.