starToursRecap720.mp4

Project Website: https://andrewcongdon14.wixsite.com/andrew-congdon

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue - Model Ride Vehicle

This repository contains the Arduino code for a fully functional Star Tours model ride vehicle, created as a final project for the Introduction to Droid Building course at the University of Notre Dame in Fall 2024.

Inspired by the Disney Parks attraction Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, this scaled model ride vehicle showcases synchronized lighting, motion, sound, and visual effects to simulate three immersive ride sequences, all within a compact 5x5 ft performance space.

---

Project Overview

The Star Tours ride vehicle is equipped with:

• Precision motor control for smooth manual and automated movement
• Color sensor navigation for autonomous travel along colored paths
• Three 90-second ride sequences, each representing a narrative arc from the attraction:
  • Routine 1 – Takeoff, Rebel Spy Reveal, and Hyperjump Escape
  • Routine 2 – Tatooine Podrace and Yoda Transmission
  • Routine 3 – Boba Fett Ambush, Death Star Bomb, and Landing
• Programmable lighting effects via NeoPixels and PWM LEDs
• Interactive PS3 controller integration for manual override and mode switching
• Onboard MP3 audio synchronized with movements and visuals
• TFT display animations showcasing themed Star Wars images

---

Control Modes

Manual Mode

• Controlled via PS3 controller
• Real-time motion using joystick input
• Ambient lighting and audio loops active during idle

Auto Mode

• Activated by pressing the triangle button
• Follows a colored track:
  • Blue → Go Forward
  • Red → Turn Right
  • Green → Turn Left

Routine Mode

• Three pre-scripted ride sequences triggered with the D-pad:
  • LEFT – Routine 1: Darth Vader & Hyperjump
  • UP – Routine 2: Podracing & Yoda
  • RIGHT – Routine 3: Boba Fett, Sonic Bomb, and Death Star Escape

---

Features

• Smooth speed ramping for realistic movement transitions
• Custom ambient audio engine with over a dozen randomized sounds
• Modular lighting functions: thruster flicker, fire effects, rainbow cycle, hyperspace jump, and more
• R2-D2-inspired servo animation tied to key sound/visual moments
• TFT screen image library displaying 18 different Star Wars-themed scenes
• Scene and movement arrays for precise synchronization of lights, sound, and motion

---

Hardware Components

• Arduino Mega 2560
• SABER 2X12 Motor Controller
• Robertsonics MP3 Trigger + microSD
• Adafruit ST7735 TFT Display
• Adafruit 24-Channel PWM Driver
• TCS3200 Color Sensor
• MG90S Servo (for top animation)
• 2x NeoPixel LED strips (interior lighting)
• 10+ additional PWM LEDs for headlights, thrusters, and ambient FX
• Precision planetary gear motors + omni wheel (drive system)
• PS3 Controller + USB Bluetooth dongle (via PS3BT.h)

---

Software Architecture

The main control loop manages:

• PS3 input parsing with debounce logic
• Movement control via ST->drive() and ST->turn()
• Scene management via millis()-based timers
• Modular functions for each subsystem:
  • moveMan(), moveAuto(), routineOneController(), etc.
  • playAmbient(), startUpSound(), drawHyperspaceJump(), etc.
  • LED FX functions like TwinkleRandom(), redFire(), FullCycleThrusterEffect()

Scene state is tracked using parallel arrays for movement and event timing.

---

Photos, Videos, and In-Depth Documentation

For more details on the design process, component breakdown, and showcase footage, visit the project webpage.

---

Main Highlight Reel

Click the image above to watch the full demo.

---

Additional Videos

All Automated Routines with Movement

Click to view: vehicle movement across all routines.

Nighttime Lighting & Sound Footage

Click to view: synchronized lighting and sound effects in a dark setting.

---

Files

This repository contains:

• StarTours.ino – full Arduino program with all movement logic, LED control, audio syncing, and PS3 input parsing

---