Course Outline - Robotics 12

Enter the world of robotics by building your own mobile robot. Create an insect-level intelligence for your robot. Make it compete or explore. Apply a wide range of design and construction techniques. Self-paced learning is supported by on-line tutorials. An associated four-credit, career preparation in electronics programs offers valuable on-the-job work experience.

Objectives

You will:

Practical Skills

Work safely. Advance your knowledge of circuit operation, schematics, printed circuit board layout, gates, software programming, project assembly, troubleshooting and repair.

Projects

Choose from the Churbie mousebot, Gnat, Insectronic, Hexatron, humanoid, mini-sumo line-follower, serpentronic (robotic snake) or solar speeder. Choice is based upon your ability and experience. The mousebot and tethered mini-sumo do not require programming, however, they demand steady effort and attention to detail. Full-size, dimensioned drawings are provided for the gnat, insectronic, mini-sumo and serpentronic. PCB masks are available for the mousebot. Use infrared or ultrasonic sensors and construct a controller from scratch. Write, compile, and install C programs with seek-and-escape strategies for your robot.

Detailed, do-it-yourself manuals are available for the Churbie mousebot and gnat walking robot. These projects take months to complete. You must be willing to work steadily and make a long-term commitment. The insectronic, a six-legged walker, requires Arduino C language programming. Fully functioning programs are ready. More complex construction techniques are needed. To finish them you will need to work well independently.

Requirements

Create a portfolio for the robot. The portfolio will include a cover page with graphics, circuit description, schematic, program, printed circuit board layout, parts placement diagram, schedule of component prices, and a fully dimensioned drawing of the project.

Each student will bring these items to every class:

Parts and Materials Fee

A materials and parts fee of $35.00 helps to cover the cost of two of the listed projects. This amount is due in early September. Students who build a robot that has many expensive components may need to cover the additional cost. Students will estimate these extra costs before beginning their project.

Evaluation

Your attendance, courtesy, and dedication will be considered during evaluation. You are encouraged to cooperate closely with other members of the class. Help them when you can. However, avoid providing too much help. We learn best when we are challenged.

Marks may also be earned by assisting with class projects. These projects benefit all students of electronics. Among many examples, are the repair and manufacture of test leads, the service and repair of test instruments, and the manufacture of precut parts for project enclosures.

Computer, computer network, software and programming support are additional categories in which technical support credits may be earned. These marks are recorded under the ?technical support? category. They will be included in the end-of-term and end-of-year accumulated percentages.

You are responsible for identifying which class work you have missed. Any missed work must be made up, including tests and labs. The work should be completed during the same week, either before or after school, through mutual agreement. (This topic is discussed fully in the information sheet, Evaluation.)