Introduction to educational robotics

Hi guys!

I am Jason, and together we will get to know the magical world of robotics!

Yes, that's right, we will use robots!

I have to tell you that before I start engaging in educational robotics, I was really afraid of robots. But let this stay between us, ok?

I always had in my mind that robots as war machines would come to our planet from somewhere far and they would conquer us!

It would end badly for those who disobeyed their orders, But once I spent a little time studying the robots,

I realized that they were rather simple machines made by humans to make life easier!

Ah! Also, we tell them what to do! They follow faithfully our own commands.

Isn’t it like that?

Let’s begin by looking at the basic parts of a robot:

First of all, there is the mechanical part.

All parts of the robot are connected to it and, of course, it has the right motors to be able to move. The motors can get wheels, propellers, or even arms into motion.

The robot has also sensors and outputs. Sensors can receive messages, which means that they can “feel” the outside world.

So there are contact, ultrasonic, infrared, light, temperature, sound and compass sensors, among others.

For example, the sound sensor, which is a microphone, can sense a sound -let’s say for example a clapping-, and then do something like turning right.

On the other hand, with the outputs; the robot can send messages to the outside world.

Thus, it usually has lights, small screens, loudspeakers or buzzers.

For example, when a robot get close to an obstacle, a loud beep sound can be heard from his loudspeaker.

This will notify us that it may crash with the obstacle and we should turn it right or left to avoid that crash.

A very important part of a robot is its brain. The brain is responsible for the execution of the commands we wrote in its language.

All the commands together constitute a program. We are the ones who wrote them- we are the developers.

The language understood by the robot is the programming language.

But let’s get to know our robot! Hello Edison! Our friends would like to get to know you better.

Edison has:

Two motors.

Left and right red LED lights.

Three control buttons.

Sound Sensor.

Light sensors (left and right).

Infrared light receiver.

Infrared light transmitter.

Sounder

Line tracking sensor.

Great…

Edison can do many different things by using his sensors and his brain.

Edison, show us please!