TKC Robot
Teach your robot with SNAP (like Scratch)
Teaching your Robot
Learn how real computer programs work by teaching your robot step by step
Dancing with robots
Make up a set of cool moves for your robot
An exploration of the capabilities of the robot, Dance can be a competitive event like synchronised swimming for robots (without the water!). Find secret robot moves with your phone and then put together your best 25 moves. http://dancebot.strikingly.com/
Connect my bot
Get your robot ready to program
Learn how to pair your robot with your computer and then connect your robot and computer via Bluetooth from within SNAP. connectmybot.strikingly.com
My first program
Learn to use the motors in your robot programs
Use a simple SNAP program to blink the LED built into your robots Arduino brain. Then use your computer to drive your robot. Then teach your robot to make custom moves using turnLeft, turnRight and moveForward. http://myfirstprogram.strikingly.com/ .
My second program
Get fine control over the timing of your moves
Import a new set of custom blocks that allow you to set the length of time each move is continued for. Six simple moves: forward(), backward(), spinRight(), spinLeft(), turnLeft(), turnRight(). Upon completing this page you will be able to do 'Hello to Alien', 'Round the moon", 'Slalom', and get five extra points in the dance competition for writing your own moves. http://mysecondprogram.strikingly.com
Loops
Repeating steps over and over again.
Sometimes it is important to save time when teaching robots by getting them to repeat steps. In this lesson you will learn how to repeat steps using loops and then create your own robot blink, Finally, you will try out what you know by teaching your robot to drive around a circular track. http://byoblink.strikingly.com
Making custom blocks
Save time and make your programs clearer
By converting your favourite moves into custom blocks you will make it easier to read what your program is doing and allow you to quickly reuse your complex moves again and again. http://byoblocks.strikingly.com
Under the hood
Pins, not blocks
The Arduino brains of your robot controls the motors by turning on and off the digital pins connected to the motor controller. See how you can turn the motors on and off in SNAP via the digital pins. http://underthehood.strikingly.com
Bots with eyes
Use light sensors to create a light-following robot
Install light sensors onto your robot and then use SNAP to teach your robot to turn towards the light. For the adventurous, try making a line following robot. http://botsthatsee.strikingly.com
Robot vacuum cleaner
Use an ultrasound sensor do detect and avoid obstacles
Install an ultrasound sensor on your robot (like the back up sensors on cars) then use SNAP to detect obstacles in front of your robot, followed by backing up, a turn, and then off in a new direction, just like a robot vacuum cleaner. http://vacuumbot.strikingly.com (not ready yet)
Sumobot
Put together all the skills you have learned
Use two sensors at the same time: the ultrasound sensor to find your competitor and the light sensor to keep track of when you are leaving the ring.
Extension - Play Ball
Add infra-red sensors to your robot and play soccer!
For the ambitious student their is the opportunity to convert their robot into an inexpensive soccer robot programmed using SNAP. soccerbot.strikingly.com ( not ready yet)
Extension - Python robots
More programming power!
For the really adventurous see how you can drive your TKCbot using Python. Plus, links to two other cheap on-board Python-programmable robots that have quicker response times and are capable of using more complex programs. (Not ready yet)
Contact Us!
To get help building, programming or hosting a workshop:
About THE tKcBOT
'Standing on the shoulders of giants.'
Inspiration
Starting from the UNSW CS4HS bot, many people have given this project a inspirational push, encouraging feedback, opened doors of opportunity, or sustained the project through their enthusiastic participation. Thanks to Susan, BW, Phillip, Adele, Ruth, Stuart and many others.
Technology
Thanks to the explosion of information available on the Internet it is possible to create a robot with amazing capabilities just by bringing together pieces of existing technology with very little original technology. My role has been to marry the inspiration with the the technology available, and to use my experience as a teacher to construct the learning materials to help bring this amazing technology to children. Thanks also, to the helpful people (especially Leo) at Hobart Hackerspace, who have experience and expertise way beyond mine.