Testing and Validation

This section covers testing procedures for the RCR Common Robotics Platform to ensure proper functionality.

Basic Smoke Test

The first test to perform after hardware assembly is the basic smoke test using the firmware provided in the repository.

Prerequisites

  • Hardware assembly completed

  • Teensy 4.0 board properly connected

  • Arduino CLI installed and configured (see Teensy Programming Guide)

Running the Basic Test

Flash the Basic Test Firmware:

# Navigate to the firmware directory
cd ~/repos/common_platform/firmware/basic_test/

# Compile and upload the basic test
arduino-cli compile --fqbn teensy:avr:teensy40 basic_test.ino
arduino-cli upload -p /dev/ttyACM0 --fqbn teensy:avr:teensy40 basic_test.ino

Expected Behavior: Upon successful flashing, the robot should exhibit a simple behavior pattern:

  • Moving forward for a few seconds

  • Pausing briefly

  • Moving backward for a few seconds

  • Repeating this cycle

Verification:

  • ✅ Robot moves forward and backward as expected

  • ✅ Motors are functioning properly

  • ✅ Basic control system is operational

  • ✅ No unusual sounds or behaviors

Troubleshooting

If the robot doesn’t move as expected:

  • Check power connections

  • Verify motor connections

  • Ensure firmware uploaded successfully

  • Check for any error messages in the serial monitor

Additional Testing

More comprehensive testing procedures will be added to this section in future updates.