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Lesson 4: Ultrasonic Module

Give your GalaxyRVR the power to “see” with sound!

Discover how ultrasonic sensors work like a bat’s echolocation - sending out sound waves and listening for echoes to detect obstacles and measure distances.

Make your Mars Rover smarter and safer as it explores!

Learning Objectives

  • Discover how ultrasonic sensors use sound waves to measure distance

  • Learn to read distance measurements using the Mammoth Coding APP

  • Program your GalaxyRVR to avoid obstacles using the ultrasonic sensor

Exploring the Ultrasonic Module

Meet the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor - your rover’s new “superpower” for seeing distances without touching anything! Just like bats use sound to navigate, this clever device can detect objects from 2cm to 400cm away.

../_images/ultrasonic_pic2.png

Meet the Four Important Pins:

  • TRIG - The “start button” that tells the sensor to send out sound waves

  • ECHO - Listens for the returning echo from objects

  • VCC - Power connection (needs 5V electricity)

  • GND - Ground connection (completes the circuit)

How It Works - The Echo Game:

../_images/ultrasonic_prin2.jpg

  1. START - The sensor sends out 8 quick sound waves (too high for us to hear!)

  2. LISTEN - It starts timing and waits for the echo to bounce back

  3. CALCULATE - Using the echo time, it calculates: Distance = (Time × Speed of Sound) ÷ 2

Think of it like shouting in a canyon and counting how long it takes to hear your echo. The longer the wait, the farther the wall!

Now let’s give your Mars Rover this amazing superpower!

Testing the Ultrasonic Sensor

  1. First, Connecting the APP to GalaxyRVR.

  1. Find the “distance in cm” block in the GalaxyRVR category and check its box.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_value.png

  2. The sensor’s reading will now show live on the stage.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_value2.png

  3. Wave your hand in front of the ultrasonic sensor and watch the number change - it’s measuring the distance in centimeters!

Creating an Obstacle-Avoiding Rover

Let’s program your GalaxyRVR to automatically avoid obstacles using the ultrasonic sensor.

  1. Start with the green flag block.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_flag.png

  2. Set a comfortable speed (we recommend 30%) for testing.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_speed.png

  3. Add a “move forward” block so the rover keeps moving when the path is clear.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_forward.png

  4. Use the when distance < 15 cm block to detect nearby obstacles.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_when.png

  5. When something gets too close, make the rover stop and back up.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_backward.png

  6. Then have it turn slightly (left or right - your choice!).

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_turn.png

  7. Finally, tell it to move forward again on its new path.

    ../_images/6_ultrasonic_forward_again.png

Now place your GalaxyRVR on the floor and watch it go! It will cruise forward until it detects an obstacle, then smartly change direction and continue exploring.

Ultrasonic Sensor Blocks

  • Event Trigger Block

    Starts code when an object is detected within a set distance.

    • Change the comparison symbol (< or >)

    • Adjust the distance threshold (in cm)

    ../_images/ultra_when.png

  • Wait Until Block

    Pauses your program until the sensor detects an object at the specified distance.

    • Choose < or > for distance comparison

    • Set your desired distance value

    ../_images/ultra_wait_until.png

  • Condition Check Block

    Returns TRUE or FALSE based on distance detection. Perfect for use with if statements.

    • Switch between < and > as needed

    • Set the distance limit

    ../_images/ultra_condition.png

  • Distance Value Block

    Shows the current distance reading from the ultrasonic sensor in centimeters.

    ../_images/ultra_value.png