Latest Robot Project - Barebones Photohead

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This is our latest robot project -- a Barebones Photohead. We are slowly progressing up the complexity scale. Soldering all the legs of this chip together for the first time certainly was a challenge.

This unit, when powered up, will seek the brightest source of light in the room and turn itself towards the source. As the lighting in a room changes the head will seek to the next brightest source. It is quite neat to watch and analyze what the phototransistor eyes are focusing on. You can also lead it around, using a small flashlight.

This unit is battery-powered, due to the power needs of the scavenged motor I am using, but you can also make a solar powered version. You can also use the same circuit to control 2 motors which would allow you to make a light-seeking vehicle.

I only had a source for the 74HCT240 chips from a local Radio Shack, but I think the 74AC240 chips would probably work a bit better, as this motor wants more power than the 2 AA batteries can deliver.

Stay tuned for more robot madness!