Robotics (with Virtual Robotics Toolkit)

For all robot projects, it is recommended that students assemble and import their own robots instead of using the sample robots provided by VRT on each map/mat.

The official Virtual Robotics Toolkit is needed in this course.

Level 1 （16 classes, one hour per class)

• Wall Follower
  • Introduce and explain what an ultrasonic sensor is and what they can be used for
  • Introduce the structure of coding using Lego EV3 Mindstorms (categories, input/output, etc)
• Line Follower
  • Assemble a simple robot with two drive motors
  • Introduce and explain what a color sensor is and what they are used for
  • Use a light value of 25% for the light intensity reflected
  • Use a main loop block, color sensor block, two math blocks, and a move steering block
• Color Line Follower
  • Use color sensors to detect which color the robot should be following and then use the same procedure as the Line Follower project
  • Test what range the light values will be/should be in 
• Maze Runner
  • Use both the techniques in Line Follower and Wall Follower so that the robot can avoid walls and also stay on the line

Level 2 （16 classes, one hour per class)

• Robot Vacuum
  • Assemble the robot so that it can collect objects around the map/mat with a motor that will turn a “scooper” part 
  • Use an ultrasonic sensor so that the robot can detect objects around the map and pick up items that are detected
  • Should implement Wall Follower techniques, but instead avoids bumping into walls and adjusts itself so that it can move to other places
• Robot Uber
  • Use an ultrasonic sensor to detect the item and a color sensor to detect the color so that it is the correct object
  • Use the line follower project techniques to make the robot follow the path and deliver the item to the destination
• Robot Cleaner
  • Assemble the robot with a plow/wall so that it can essentially push out all the debris
  • Use an ultrasonic sensor to detect debris to clean out
  • Color sensors on the side of the robot to detect the border of the mat so that it does not drive off the mat
  • Two drive motors to give it a tank-style of driving 
• Robot Soccer
  • The robots determine their position using a downwards facing color sensor that reads the color gradient on the field. 
  • The heading is determined using a gyro sensor, and the ball is followed using a IR sensor.
• Sumo Wrestling
  • It is recommended that you code one robot at a time 
  • Use a color sensor to detect where the robot is on the mat (cannot cross the border) 

Level 3 （16 classes, one hour per class)

• Robot Sorter
  • This would require a combination of Robot Uber and Color Line Follower techniques.
• Multiplayer sweep
  • This would be like the Robot Cleaner, except it is for two robots
  • Use the ultrasonic sensor to also detect whether another robot is in front of them so that they do not clash and do not mistake the other robot for an item they must “clean”
• Pearl Diving

Level 4 （16 classes, one hour per class)

• • Mountaineering
  • Custom Mats
  • City Energy