Robotics Rookie

[robot-rookie]

Finally, here is my Pexel Rover Petting Bot using Hummingbird Kit!!! 

I had so much fun (and got frustrations too) as I designed the original Rover Bot in my previous post and upgrade the rover into a petting bot instead.

I got all excited as I called my Pexel Rover Pet Bot by his name and he stopped and wagged his tail.  I used the Sound Sensor to capture the noise. I used the Dial Sensor to pet him and that would make my dog bot move his head and change the light intensity and the color of his eyes. Like the original design, my dog moves randomly and avoids obstacles too using the Distance Sensor. I included some buzzer sounds as well for additional output.

Since the original light sensor was completely unusable, I need to replace it with the Dial Sensor. 

I would assume the delay in responses is due to the Bluetooth connection of my dog bot and my laptop. But, I can’t wait to showcase this to my students and to the rest of my family.

Overall the journey was fun as I get to remember my old dog, bond with hubby as we designed the structure, and learn a lot too using Snap Programming.

Classroom Projects I will incorporate can be the Build Projects we have in our resources including something personal like my student’s pets, some Timeline Projects, Maze, Role-Plays, Race Track, Music Band and I think the possibilities will be endless! I cant wait to know more!

[robot-rookie]

Iteration to the nth time 😂😂😂

I got my Pexel Rover Petting Bot all designed (this is supposed to be an image replica of my old dog who passed away 10 years ago). I got the black patches beautifully added (thanks to hubby for some good help)

So what works so far? 😍😅

1. Moves randomly.

2. Avoids obstacles using the distance sensor.

3. Tri-Led changing lights.

4. Sound buzzer (new feature added to the plan)

5. Moves the tail using sound sensor.

What failed and still a work in progress? 🤔🥲😭

1. Head and tail keep falling off (need some screws and more glue)

2. Light sensor not working (spent hours figuring this out with the other parts only to figure out later that it’s completely dead)

3. Dial sensor has to replace the light sensor for additional feature of head moving or light intensity.

4. Testing space has to be smooth, quiet and wide. Kitchen or restroom are the only options so far 🤣😂. I will probably use the park.

Spent hours of challenge, fun and coding rover bot in my sleep but I cant really wait to complete this project and celebrate!

[robot-rookie]

This is my final project. I have all the structures designed and added (thanks to my husband, I got some help building the body together).

I added my code from the old Pexel Rover Bot with some adjustments - the head and the tail move sideways, and the rover also moves forward while avoiding any obstacles. The tri - LED light eyes shifts from green/blue to red. 

With the new set of wheels added, my Petting Rover Bot needs to drive on a smooth surface to make the bot avoid obstacles successfully. I still have to make some adjustments to this.

Also, I  need to code the sound and the light sensors for the petting part. I cant wait for this project to function fully.

[robot-rookie]

For my final project, I am thinking of creating a Pexel Rover Petting Dog as an upgrade to my old design. Again, as a tribute to my old dog, Pexel, who passed away 10 years ago on Christmas day, will be a Rover Petting Dog that will do the following:

- moves randomly.

- avoids obstacles

- has blinking - light eyes

- stops from a loud sound

- when stopped, feed him and his head & tail will move.

Possible sensors and motors used: light, sound, distance sensors and position, rotation, dial.

Materials to use:

- cardboards

- color markers

- extra rubber bands

- plastic tube

- some clear tape

- hot glue

[robot-rookie]

I hate to dismember my Pexel Rover Bot since I only have set of Hummingbird kit but I am hoping I can still re-use the old theme to create a more interesting and fun project.

So, my potential projects are the following:

1. Pexel Dog Robot - it will have all the old design of my rover bot but instead of a box and a dog as a driver, I will create a robot dog where I can use all the sensors and motors for it to walk, wiggle his head / tail and some LED lights play. 

2. Kid and Pexel Rover Bot - Have a kid holding/pushing the rover and let the kid move as the rover moves. Maybe the kid and the rover move using a sound or a light as an input.

3. Plant and Butterfly - It’s spring time and would it be nice to see butterflies move around the flowers. These flower move when a butterfly touches it. A butterflies moves perhaps thru sounds or light.

[robot-rookie]

[robot-rookie]

Meet my Pexel Dog Rover Robot using Hummingbird Kit! Moves randomly but hold a barrier next to it and it will stop and move away! Observe the light as it changes to red too!

[robot-rookie]

First Robot: My Dog Rover

This is the first robot I created using the Hummingbird, my very own dog rover. His name is Pexel Rover, just after the name of our family’s first dalmatian dog who passed away 2 decades ago on Christmas Day.

Pexel Rover is special too because I was able to “force” my husband to draw and craft the structure, so I can just code the rover without worrying about the design. I call this real teamwork! :)

So, here are the parts of the hummingbird I used:

* position servo for the steering wheel rotation

* rotation servo for the big wheels

* Tri - LED lights for the eyes that randomly changes the color but turns to RED if there is an obstacle

* Light Sensor that turns the Tri - LED light into red if an obstacle is close.

* Distance Sensor that moves the rover away if an obstacle is close.

I like the experience of coding and building and I am thinking how I can level up this rover for a bigger but unique project.

[robot-rookie]

Challenge 1: About Me

Hi! I am Rosilie Lim (she/her pronouns). I presently teach coding, web design and business classes among middle school students in one of the public schools of  Wisconsin. I used to teach CS to college students for 15+ years and high school students for 3 years. I had robotics training before but never really had the chance to use them as my old classes were mainly focused on exam-based tasks. So, I’m glad that I signed up for this PD course to help me fuel and engage my middle school classes and let them love computer science thru robotics and coding.

I normally run (lately, I have been busy with schooling (night time) and teaching (day time) that I have all the excuses to skip the road or the gym. I joined a half-marathon recently after 7 long years of hiatus and may probably sign in for another one late this year.

I love to try almost all kinds of cuisine but am too weak for spicy food. I love traveling too (but not so much on road trips due to back pains)  and adore someone else’s pet but I would rather have none (small space / busy schedule) at this time.