Line tracing robots are simply robots with an additional sensor placed on them.
4eyes
The robot has sensors in its base that detect to difference in brightness between the white surface and the black line. It is programmed to stay on the black line by computer software.
a line following robot follows a black line about 3/4 inches in width on a black surface. these robots are usually used in compititions. according to rules, the robots are raced one at a time and the robot with the shortest time wins. the curves in the lines must be 4 inchces or more in diameter
It sounds like you are using an NXT unit, but to make a line follower, you don't find the distance between the robot and the line, you find the line and center it under you. I would recommend using the light sensor because it will allow you to find the area where the line is darker than the surrounding surface. Then, whenever the line is not centered under your robot, you have it go back and forth until it finds it.
One can find a tutorial on how to build a robot from the following sources: Multiplo Talk, Society of Robots, Instructables, Robot Shop, Lets Make Robots, to name a few.
Off-line Programming (OLP) is a Robot programming method where the Robot Program is created independent from the actual robot cell. The robot program is then uploaded to the real robot for execution. In off line programming the robot cell is commonly represented as a graphical 3Dmodel.
In the future, a line following robot could be used to lay groundwork for a small structure, repaint objects such as baseball diamonds, lay a trail of something down, or even plow the ground for farmers.
One risks of a robot is following the robot it can lead to a dangerous place
For repetitive tasks which use the same path things like following one on the floor of a factory to remove the need for a human operator also lines of metal placed under lawns can be used as a guide for a robot lawnmower
By following their programing.
How do you make a recycling robot?
If mr. How has a degree in robot science, then yes... He most likely can make a robot