https://rpi.box.com/s/t2wcbf9537y1dta9at4pi1qyi9dkj7hb

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Safety is a core engineering responsibility. Students should learn safe habits from the first day, just as they would in a machine shop or laboratory.

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Learning Objectives

After completing this section, you should be able to:

• Assemble the Smart Car safely and correctly.
• Identify common electrical, mechanical, and battery hazards.
• Operate the robot without endangering yourself, others, or equipment.
• Develop good engineering laboratory habits. </aside>

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1. General Laboratory Safety

Treat the Smart Car as a piece of engineering equipment, not as a toy.

Always

• Read the assembly instructions before beginning.
• Work in a clean, organized workspace.
• Keep food and drinks away from electronics.
• Avoid static charges during assembly or handling electronic components.
• Store small screws and components in containers to avoid losing them.
• Return tools to their proper locations after use.

2. Personal Safety

Although the Smart Car uses low voltages, injuries can still occur.

Be aware of

• Sharp acrylic edges
• Small screws
• Screwdrivers slipping during assembly
• Rotating wheels
• Moving gears
• Pinch points

Never

• Place fingers near spinning wheels.
• Wear loose clothing that could catch in moving parts.
• Force parts together.

3. Tool Safety

Use the correct screwdriver.

Avoid

• Over-tightening screws
• Stripping screw heads
• Applying excessive force

4. Electrical Safety

The Smart Car operates at low voltage, but improper wiring can damage components.

Before connecting power

✓ Double-check cable orientation.

✓ Verify connectors are fully seated.

✓ Check for loose screws touching circuit boards.

Never

• Force connectors.
• Short battery terminals.
• Connect wires randomly "to see what happens."

If something smells hot or you see smoke, disconnect power immediately.

5. Battery Safety

Rechargeable batteries deserve special attention.

Never

• Short the battery terminals.
• Puncture the battery.
• Continue using a swollen battery.

Do not expose batteries to

• Water
• Excessive heat
• Direct sunlight for long periods

If the battery becomes unusually hot, disconnect it and notify the instructor.

6. Mechanical Safety

Before turning on the robot, check that

• Wheels rotate freely.
• Nothing is tangled in the gears.
• Wiring cannot rub against moving wheels.
• Screws are tightened appropriately.

Avoid carrying the robot by

• Wires
• Sensors
• Antennas
• Circuit boards

Support the chassis instead.

7. Safe Programming

Before uploading new software:

• Raise the drive wheels off the table or place the robot on a stand when practical. Unexpected behavior can occur after uploading code.
• Make sure toggle switches are set in the right location (upload vs. camera).

8. Operating the Robot

Operate only in designated areas.

Watch for

• Table edges
• People walking nearby
• Cables on the floor
• Other robots

9. Protecting the Equipment

Engineering also means protecting expensive equipment.

Avoid

• Dropping the robot.
• Pulling on wires.
• Carrying it by sensors.
• Leaving it powered on unattended.

Handle the ultrasonic sensor, camera, and electronics gently.

10. Respecting Others

Engineering laboratories are shared environments.

Be courteous.

Do not

• Drive into another team's robot.
• Intentionally interfere with another experiment.
• Leave tools scattered across benches.
• Borrow components without permission.

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