My friend and I are getting started in robotics, and for our first project, we want to make a line following robot. He's going to do the physical construction, and I'm to do the electronics. I'd like to do this without a microcontroller if possible.
Would it be easier to follow reflective tape, or a black line? I was thinking of having three light sensors in a row, and a comparator to compare each of the sides to the center sensor. Then, if the side sensor, depending on whether we're following a black or reflective line, has a voltage that indicates the line is underneath it more than the center sensor, the comparator's output would trigger something to slow down one of the side motors until the line was under the center again. I'm not sure how I'd control the motor with that though, any thoughts? And what are some light sensors I should look at? My experience with light sensors begins and ends with lego robot sensors.
How does that strategy sound? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!