Automation has become an integral part of today's modern life. We are increasingly noticing that more and more mundane tasks are given to robots often. This made us think what if we automate the task of waiting tables at a restaurant? More specifically, an automated solution to ensure that all customers at the same table in a restaurant are served at the same time.

To do so, we will design a basic line follower robot with the application of obstacle detecting and auto-stop setup. The major aim of this robot is to reduce the work labour and scientifically increase profit.

The solution considered and its functionalities

The robot will run according to the supervisor/master’s command.

• We set up unique code numbers for each table. The robot will move to the respected table

by the command given by the cell phone.

• The magnetic sensor on the top of the table will enable the robot to return automatically to its initial position or we can make it possible by manual means
• By implementing the bot, we can reduce the labour cost to a great extent.
• We can either function the robot as automatic or can operate it manually.

We propose to design a Bluetooth-based smartphone-controlled robot.

To ensure proper navigation of the robot, a certain number of sensors are to be integrated into the robot. But due to the complexity of the sensors and the huge amount of data to be processed in the context of a restaurant, the robot needs a certain amount of computing power and fast data transmission capabilities.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED: 

1. ARDUINO:

Arduino is a prototype platform (open-source) based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It consists of a circuit board, which can be programmed (referred to as a microcontroller), and a ready-made software called Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment), which is used to write and upload the computer code to the physical board. Arduino boards can read analogue or digital input signals from different sensors and turns them into an output such as activating a motor, turning LED on/off, connecting to the cloud, and many other actions. Arduino is a prototype platform (open-source) based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It consists of a circuit board, which can be programmed (referred to as a microcontroller), and a ready-made software called Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment), which is used to write and upload the computer code to the physical board. Arduino boards can read analogue or digital input signals from different sensors and turn them into an output such as activating a motor, turning LED on/off, connecting to the cloud, and many other actions.

2. IR SENSOR:

IR sensor is an electronic device, that emits light to Sense some object in the surroundings. An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as well as detects motion. Usually, in the infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form of thermal radiation. These types of radiations are invisible to our eyes, but the infrared sensor can detect these radiations.

Here, we use this IR sensor to detect And follow the respected black line

The path is given to the robot.

3. ULTRASONIC SENSOR:

Ultrasonic sensors work by emitting sound waves at a frequency too high for humans to hear. They then wait for the sound to be reflected, calculating the distance based on the time required. This is similar to how radar measures the time it takes a radio wave to return after hitting an object.

An ultrasonic sensor equipped with the FOODIE BOT will enable the robot to stop its motion when an obstacle is detected on its path.

4. DC Gear Motor and Castor ball wheel:

DC gear motor enables the movement of the Robot and Castor Ball wheels to serve for the free movement of the robot in any respected direction.

5.Motor controller module(L293D):

L293D Motor Driver Module is a medium power motor driver perfect for driving DC Motors and Stepper Motors. It uses the popular L293 motor driver IC. It can drive 4 DC motors on and off, or drive 2 DC motors with directional and speed control.

The driver greatly simplifies and increases the ease with which you may control motors, relays, etc from micro-controllers. It can drive motors up to 12V with a total DC of up to 600mA.

6. Bluetooth Module (HC-05) and Mobile Controlling App:

HC-05 is a Bluetooth Module which is designed for wireless communication. This Module can be used is

a Master or slave configuration.

Here we equipped the FOODIE BOT with this module and

we can enable and process it by our mobile phone.

Mobile Application software called ‘ Bluetooth Electronics’ Enables the entire operations of the FOODIE BOT.

It is connected to the Robot via the HC-05 Module.

The figure shows the appearance of the running Bluetooth Application. After we connect the App To HC-05, we start the Operation of FOODIE BOT.

‘1’ and ‘2 represent Table 1 and Table 2. The blue switch is the Return key and the Big button at the Right bottom corner

Is the STOP button.

The arrow keys are given for the secondary or Manual working Of the Robot.

7.MC-38 Wired Door Magnetic Sensor

The MC-38 Wired door magnetic sensor is a switch, which operated under magnetic contact as well as physical movement.

The sensor will be placed on the top of the table with some mechanical movement switching technique. As the robot is multi-functional, we can either enable the RETURN operation of the robot by this magnetic sensor or the Blue button on the mobile application software. 

FLOW DIAGRAM:

Architecture

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM: 

WORKING:

The ultimate goal of FOODIE BOT is that it works so smooth and is user-friendly when it is installed at once. primarily we have to set up the code for its entire operation. The functioning and work efficiency of the robot also can be maintained and carried out by the alteration in the given program code.

The robot is operated by the supervisor from the kitchen. We set up Table1, and Table2 destinations initially. Also, we set up a fixed start point. When the customer is on Table1, Put the food on the table and press the button “1”.The robot will move toward Table1 immediately

works for all other tables also.

Another important feature of FOODIE BOT is that we can set up obstacle detection and stop the movement of the robot when any obstacle has to be found on its path. 

Risks and limits of the project

•  The Robot’s automatic motion is only accessed by detecting the given line. The robot will not work properly when it misses the line
•  There are more complexities in Turning degrees and Calculations.