1

I'm trying to change the speed of motors depending on the amount of light hitting the LDRs. Here i'm trying to make it so that if the LDR has a high value than another, then the motor associated with that LDR slows down so it turns towards the light.

const int motorDirectionA = 9;
const int motorEnableA = 10;
const int motorDirectionB = 5;
const int motorEnableB = 6;


const int leftLDR = A0;
const int rightLDR = A1;

int motorSpeedA = 250;
int motorSpeedB = 250;

void setup() 
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(motorDirectionA,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(motorEnableA, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(motorDirectionB,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(motorEnableB, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(leftLDR, INPUT);
  pinMode(rightLDR, INPUT);

}

void loop() 
{
  int ldrReadL = analogRead(leftLDR);
  int ldrReadR = analogRead(rightLDR);
  int leftLDRread = ldrReadL;
  int rightLDRread = ldrReadR;

  digitalWrite(motorDirectionA, LOW);
  analogWrite(motorEnableA, motorSpeedA);
  digitalWrite(motorDirectionB, HIGH);
  analogWrite(motorEnableB, motorSpeedB);

  Serial.print("Left LDR reading: ");
  Serial.println(ldrReadL);
  Serial.print("Right LDR reading: ");
  Serial.println(ldrReadR);

  if (leftLDRread > rightLDRread)
  {
    motorSpeedA = 80;
    motorSpeedB = 210;
  }
     else
     {
        motorSpeedA = 210;
        motorSpeedB = 210;
     }

  if (leftLDRread < rightLDRread)
  {
    motorSpeedB = 80;
    motorSpeedA = 210;
  }
      else
     {
       motorSpeedA = 210;
       motorSpeedB = 210;
     }
}

@Maximillian Gerhardt If the left LDR is picking up more light than the right LDR, the left motor should be assigned a 'speed' of 80 whilst the right motor has a speed of 210. If the right one has more intensity, then the right motor should be assigned a speed of 80 and the left motor assigned a speed of 210.

If they're both equal each motor should have a speed of 210 (although I dont have that included in the code).

Improve this question
2
  • Let leftLDRread = a and rightLDRread = b. The two ifs don't make logical sense -- you are already covering the case a > b and in the else case a <= b. If a > b it will go into the code of the first if clause and in the else clause of the second if, causing both motors to have equal speed, which is probably what you see. Can you describe more clearly to what value the motor speeds should be set if leftLDRRead is greater or smaller than rightLDRread?
    – Maximilian Gerhardt
    May 14, 2018 at 19:12
  • You can always edit your question to include clarifications and delete that 'answer'. Again, try to write down your wanted logic more clearly. If the light intensity on the left sensor is greater than that one of the left, what motor speeds should be assigned? What if the right one has a bigger intensity? What if they're both of equal? If you edit your question to include that wanted behaviour, you'll probably see what code you need to write.
    – Maximilian Gerhardt
    May 14, 2018 at 20:07

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

If the left LDR is picking up more light than the right LDR, the left motor should be assigned a 'speed' of 80 whilst the right motor has a speed of 210. If the right one has more intensity, then the right motor should be assigned a speed of 80 and the left motor assigned a speed of 210.

If they're both equal each motor should have a speed of 210 (although I dont have that included in the code).

In code you would express this as

void loop() 
{
    int ldrReadL = analogRead(leftLDR);
    int ldrReadR = analogRead(rightLDR);
    int leftLDRread = ldrReadL;
    int rightLDRread = ldrReadR;

    digitalWrite(motorDirectionA, LOW);
    analogWrite(motorEnableA, motorSpeedA);
    digitalWrite(motorDirectionB, HIGH);
    analogWrite(motorEnableB, motorSpeedB);

    Serial.print("Left LDR reading: ");
    Serial.println(ldrReadL);
    Serial.print("Right LDR reading: ");
    Serial.println(ldrReadR);

    //assuming motorSpeedA is the left motor
    // left > right 
    if (leftLDRread > rightLDRread) {
        motorSpeedA = 80;
        motorSpeedB = 210;
    } else if( leftLDRread < rightLDRread ) {
        //left < right 
        motorSpeedA = 210;
        motorSpeedB = 80;
    } else {
        // left == right
        motorSpeedA = 210;
        motorSpeedB = 210;      
    }
}

Also note that this is a quite primitive form of a PID controller. You want to respond to environmental influences in some kind of way, for which a PID is for.

You might find these videos interesting:

Edit: The code was fixed, a wrong variable was used (the pin number vs the read value)

Improve this answer
1
  • @mymotordude Retry again. Edit your question if you'd like to comment (or register an account?)
    – Maximilian Gerhardt
    May 14, 2018 at 21:19

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.