Adaptive Line-Following Electronic Board for Sustainable Robotics

This paper presents a low-cost, open-source electronic board for line-following robots that integrates adaptive control, recycled materials, and modular design to advance sustainability in robotics education and agriculture. The system employs QRE1113GR infrared sensors and a dynamic threshold algorithm to achieve 95% tracking accuracy under variable lighting (50–1000 lux) and terrain, outperforming commercial solutions like the Pololu QTR-8RC by 30% in dynamic environments. Hardware innovations include a two-layer PCB with segregated analog/digital components (60.2 mm × 24.7 mm), MOSFET-based motor drivers, and 70% post-consumer recycled materials validated via XRF spectroscopy. At $18 (48% cheaper than commercial alternatives), the design reduces STEM education costs while enabling pesticide-free pest control in agriculture, aligning with SDGs 4 (Quality Education) and 12 (Responsible Consumption). Field tests in Iranian farms demonstrated 20% crop loss reduction. Hardware schematics and firmware are open-sourced to promote global accessibility.