ACLES-9-Virtual+Robotics


 * =Welcome to Virtual Robotics=

Here you will learn what it is like to work in a virtual robotics lab. You will learn the components of a robot, then build it, then build a robotic arm, then program the robot to move then program the robotic arm to move, then program it to carry out an environmental task.

Project1 - Warm-up with a familiar program:
1. Use [|Scratch]to build a virtual robot and have it grasp and move an object. 2. Use the [|picoboard]to control the robot on the computer screen. 3. Write an [|algorithm]to program the robot to move with the slider and to open and close the hand when the button is pressed. 4. Refine the algorithm until it is programmable with Scratch blocks. 5. Program and test it until it works well. 6. Explore the other [|sensors]available on the picoboard. 7. Add extra programming to your virtual robot that uses these sensors.

Project2 - Build and program a virtual robot online:
1. Sign up for a new account (you'll need an email address) so that your progress will be saved: @http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/usersSys/userAccounts/createAccount.php

2. Watch and repeat the introduction until you understand the tasks: @http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/virtual_robotics_lab/intro_800_600/intro_vrl_800_600.html

3. Go here to complete the lab: @http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/virtual_robotics_lab/lab.html

Objectives:

 * 1) Learn about the Virtual Robotics Lab and Iris the Mobile Robot.
 * 2) Write a Script to drive Iris to the Activities Table.
 * 3) Build a Robotic Arm and Write a Script to recycle an empty soda bottle.
 * 4) Learn about Iris's software and have a conversation with FlashPT
 * 5) Assemble the pieces and watch Iris go. || [[image:vrlab.jpg width="453" height="294"]] ||

Objective 1 Tasks and Questions:

 * 1) Familiarize yourself with the lab control and layout. What are the names of the 5 areas of the virtual lab?
 * 2) Read  - Robots & AI - Chapter 1: Introduction to Robotics. What is the difference between a Top-Down Robot and a Bottom-up Robot?  What is the ultimate goal of this lab?
 * 3) Complete the hardware and components review. Answer these questions: What is a framework? How do the wheels work? What kind of battery is used? What parts need power from the battery? How big is the battery? Why does Iris need relays? What does the inverter do? What does the motherboard do? What is the hard drive for? Why put a power supply unit? What does the hub connect to? How does Iris use a camera? How is the servo control useful? What do you hear through Iris's speakers? What part of our human body is equivalent to Iris's microphone? What does the drawer arm draw? What is Iris's primary laptop computer used for?
 * 4) Complete the software components review. Learn each of these: CCP - Central Control Program, Image Processor, Servo Controller Interface, Camera Interface, STT-Speach-To-Text, TTS-TextToSpeach, PT-FlashProtoThinker, Mind Module. Diagram how these interface with each other and with the hardware.

Project3 - Revisit the robot from project1 and task it for simulating the online robot

 * 1) Draw the lab as accurately as possible.
 * 2) Make the objects out of sprites and name each sprite.
 * 3) Tell the objects where to go so that they always begin in the same location.
 * 4) Simulate the robot movement toward the activities table.
 * 5) When the robot gets to the activities table, change backgrounds to a close-up view of the activities table, hide the sprites, and show the new sprites.
 * 6) Simulate the arms and motors and sliders to manipulate the arm so that it picks up the bottle and puts it in the recycling bin.
 * 7) Simulate the ON button on the robot so that it completes the task.
 * 8) Extras: Redo the robot movement as if it really had two motorized wheels. Add a voice control simulated with text. Add sound of motors and bottle.


 * Project4a - Learn how to build your own robot game using an online tutorial. Click here to start incredibots-v1.**
 * 1) Visit incredibots.com. Click on Play. Allow the flash program to load on screen. Click on the Tutorial levels button.
 * 2) Learn how incredibots works by completing the Tutorial level challenges 1-10. Levels 11-14 are optional but help understand the possibilities available. Don't skip any levels because each one teaches you something new and useful for the more complicated levels.
 * 3) Notice that there are only 3 shapes: rectagle, triangle and circle. By using these shapes creatively you can create any complex shape.
 * 4) Notice that there are only 3 joints: fixed, rotating, slider. By using these you can connect shapes, make wheels turn, make shapes push against each other.
 * 5) The 10th challenge teaches you how to create your own game. In this case you´re guided to make a game that the user has to play where they build a bridge to cross a chasm. You draw lines which act like goals in the game or limits where they mustn't pass. When it is ready, have your neighbor try it out


 * Project4b - Build your own robot using the sandbox.**
 * 1) Build a robot that can roll. Save it to your server. Export it, copy clipboard text, save it as a text file using notepad to your VR folder.
 * 2) Build a robot that can walk. Save it to your server. Export it, copy clipboard text, save it as a text file using notepad to your VR folder.
 * 3) Build a robot that can jump. Save it to your server. Export it, copy clipboard text, save it as a text file using notepad to your VR folder.
 * 4) Build a robot that can uses thrusters. Save it to your server. Export it, copy clipboard text, save it as a text file using notepad to your VR folder.
 * 5) Build a robot with a cannon. Save it to your server. Export it, copy clipboard text, save it as a text file using notepad to your VR folder.
 * 6) Build a combobot that does only two of the above. Save it to your server. Export it, copy clipboard text, save it as a text file using notepad to your VR folder.


 * Project4c - Build your own robot game using parts, motors, pistons, sensors, gravity, terrain.**