Significant Risks + Management
One significant risk this week involved challenges with the Intel RealSense LiDAR Camera L515. Since the product is discontinued, the team faced issues with outdated documentation and incompatible software versions. This risk was managed by identifying compatible versions of the RealSense SDK (v2.50) and the pyrealsense module (v2.54), ensuring the LiDAR can still be integrated into the project.
There is also a risk associated with migrating the LiDAR code to the Raspberry Pi environment. This task is currently in progress, but further delays could impact the testing schedule. The team is prioritizing this migration to avoid potential bottlenecks.
Design Changes
No significant design changes were made this week. However, the team has discussed the continued relevance of backend functionality. If backend development is pursued, it may require additional modifications to the web application and data management strategies.
Schedule Changes
The project timeline has been adjusted to reflect the delay in LiDAR migration to the Raspberry Pi. Despite these setbacks, critical tasks such as sensor integration, motor control development, and return algorithm testing remain aligned with the overall project schedule.
Progress
This week, the team successfully configured the LiDAR sensor by resolving software compatibility issues. The necessary versions of the SDK and Python libraries were identified and installed, allowing the team to write a program that raises a signal if a variable percentage of the LiDAR’s view is blocked within a specified distance. These parameters will be further refined during integration testing.
The team also soldered the battery, VESC, and power switch connections, ensuring the propulsion system is ready for assembly. While LiDAR functionality has been tested on desktop, migration to the Raspberry Pi environment is ongoing. In parallel, GPS integration frameworks are prepared to ensure smooth setup once missing components arrive.
The team also completed the Bluetooth setup on the Raspberry Pi, enabling automatic BLE service activation on boot. This functionality was tested successfully, allowing the app to find and pair with the Pi reliably.