Lab 4

The Robot Race

Introduction

Robots are used in many areas of our lives including space exploration, manufacturing, traffic control, hazardous material disposal, and medicine. We often take for granted the incredible amounts of work involved in designing robots to perform even simple everyday tasks. This lab will give you an opportunity to explore the world of robotics and to experience first hand some of the challenges involved in designing a robot.

Technology Problem

The technology problem involves designing, building, and testing a robot that will traverse a specified course more quickly than its competitors. In this lab, you will explore the world of robotics and solve the technology problem of designing, building, and testing a robot. As you address this problem, you will be expected to use the scientific method (problem, question, hypothesis, test, decision). The scientific method will support and guide your thinking process as you work on the lab. The first two steps of the scientific method (problem, question) suggest that you give the problem more definition and ask questions about it. To accomplish this, you will need to locate and process information about robots, gears, pulleys, as well as pertinent mathematical topics.

Bibliotechnology Research

Research the meaning of the following terms and begin thinking about how each one will be a part of your design process. You should also determine exactly what a robot is.

• Programming Terms algorithm, program, subroutine, command, firmware, loop, infinite loop, repeat loop, while loop, variable, multitasking.
• Physics frequency, friction, gear ratio, gearing up, gearing down, inertia, momentum, torque.
• Design bottom-up design, feedback, form follows function, top-down design
• Components COM port, compound gear train, idler, pulse width modulator, sensor, rotation sensor, touch sensor, sensor adapter, sensor watcher, temperature sensor, USB port, worm gear.

In this design you will be working extensively with gears and pulleys to research the basics of gears. A good place to start is the web site http://www.howstuffworks.com. You will also be using ratios, proportions, and the Pythagorean theorem. If you are unfamiliar with these topics or need a refresher, locate a textbook that will help you review them.

On the basis of your research, write a paper that summarizes the nature of robotics and its applications, contains a glossary of terms including those listed above, describes the operations and interactions of gears and pulleys, and provides examples that demonstrate the use of ratios, proportions, and the Pythagorean Theorem. Be sure to keep a record that is sufficiently detailed to allow a reader to repeat your work step by step. When you have completed the research paper, you are then prepared to begin the process of solving the technology problem – designing a robot.

Mathematics Tools

Identify, select, and use mathematics concepts and procedures that help you to describe and solve the technology problem, i.e. to design a robot that satisfies the given criteria.

Design Development

The process of designing your robot will involve the last three steps (hypothesis, test, and decision) of the scientific method. You will probably repeat these steps many times until you finally have a design that meets the criteria described.

You can think of the design you create as a hypothesis. In effect, your design describes and explains the technology problem. After you develop your hypothesis (design), you will test it for its ability to accurately describe the technology problem. Based on these results, you will then decide to retain, reject, or modify your design.

Your task is to design and build a robot that can traverse a specified course in the shortest time while remaining intact. You will be competing against the other groups to accomplish this. Unless otherwise determined by your professor, you will be using the LEGO® Robot Invention System. In order to acquaint you with the LEGO® Robot Invention System, first design a robot following the instructions on the CD provided. Next, alter the robot so it will reverse directions when it hits an object.

When you have completed these tasks, begin designing your robot for the course. As you design the robot, it is important to keep in mind that the criteria for evaluating your work include: the process used to create the robot, your description of the mathematics, electronics, and engineering concepts applied, aesthetics of the robot, the robot's construction, and the speed with which the robot traverses the course.

The actual designing, building, and testing of the robot are the main part of this lab. However, an important part of the solution process involves compiling an organized record of all your work.

Model Portfolio

The model portfolio is a well-organized record of your work on this lab. This includes not only your results but the means you used to attain them, including attempts that did not work.

You should include samples of your work from the first exploratory phases through the final product.

Your portfolio should specifically include (at a minimum):

1. The robot;
2. a description of the problem in your own words and the research you conducted to understand and define the problem;
3. the paper you wrote about robotics;
4. a listing of the mathematics tools you found useful in solving the problem and how you applied these tools;
5. a discussion of the team dynamics, including how you decided on the role of each member and whether you agreed on the final design;
6. a description of the various plans your team devised to solve the problem and the rationale used in choosing the final design. Include early sketches or pictures of your robot, as well as that of your final design;
7. the results of your testing of the design and the adjustments made;
8. a copy of your program;
9. reflections on how you would proceed differently if confronted with a similar problem in the future; and
10. a description of what you learned from this lab.

Thesis Defense

Your team will deliver an oral presentation of its model portfolio to an audience. The presentation will include operating your robot in an inter-team contest.