Design and Development of Smart Autonomous Tennis Ball Collector Robot

This paper proposes a comprehensive solution to the labor-intensive and time-consuming task of collecting tennis balls during practice and matches. The study investigates building an efficient and robust robot capable of navigating tennis courts and collecting balls. The mechanical design involves choosing appropriate sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers to ensure accurate detection and collection of tennis balls. The robot has two DC motors with wheels, enabling it to move forward, backward, left, and right. Another DC motor is also used to drive the fines of the ball collecting mechanism. The robot is equipped with three IR sensors: one at the front and one on each side, easing obstacle detection and ensuring effective navigation. The robot operates in two modes: automatic mode where the robot can autonomously navigate the courtyard, and manual mode, where a user can control the robot remotely. Field tests demonstrate the robot's ability to effectively locate and collect tennis balls, showing its potential to minimize physical efforts and improve training efficiency for tennis players. The paper concludes that the robot was successfully built, the control system was developed, and the results were promising. It features the realistic applications of smart systems service robotics in sports and recreational performances.