fischertechnik ROBO TX Explorer

Additional Information for Educators and Administrators

Specific concepts addressed with this set: Constructing, programming and controlling advanced mobile robots.

Crawler Drive: Types of vehicles with crawler drive. Encoder Motors and the principle behind them. Steering with a crawler drive using the encoder motors.

Sensors: Overview of the sensors used in this kit and what each does.

NTC Resistor for measuring temperatures.

Photoresistor for sensing brightness of light.

Ultrasonic Distance Sensor and how it uses light, infrared radiation, radio waves and ultrasonic sound to measure the distance between itself and an object.

Optical Color Sensor –such as used in automation technology.

Trail Sensor—digital infrared sensor for identifying a black trail on a white background.

Programming:

Students design programs on the computer using the ROBO Pro “graphic programming interface” software, which utilizes graphic symbols, or icons, to represent various functions in a flow-chart like manner. The created programs (or sample programs) are then downloaded from the computer into the ROBO TX Controller unit. The ROBO TX Controller controls the actuators of the robot and evaluates the information from the various sensors. Programs can be downloaded using either a USB connection, or Bluetooth.

Procedure and Practices:

Students learn the importance of working carefully. They are asked to check the movement of all parts, and to test all programs on the computer prior to downloading them into the ROBO TX Controller unit.

Programmed Models:

Student will construct the various robotic models and complete increasingly sophisticated programs for these robots to execute, making use of the various sensors and actuators, such as:

Building a Trail Searcher and having it follow a black line, and then program it to recognize when it is not traveling on the line and to self-correct it’s direction of travel. Also program it to perform other tasks such as to actively search for a black line to follow, to honk three times if it loses a trail or ends it, and to navigate curves with differing radiuses.

Build a Tunnel Robot and program it to follow a fixed route along a wall as well as measure temperature and depending on the reading flash a warning light and buzzer to simulate an extinguishing action, turn and return to its starting point.

Build a Color Detector Robot which can detect different colors and perform certain tasks, such as signalling with a buzzer, or flashing a specific light when the color is recognized.

Build the Explorer Model, using all sensors and actuators, and then program it to perform more complex tasks using multiple sensors, such as recognizing an upcoming object and reducing its speed, blinking a warning light when the temperature becomes too high and turning headlights on or off depending upon how light or dark the surroundings are.

Remote Control of Robots:

Control the Explorer Model remotely using a computer equipped with ROBO Pro, and the Bluetooth radio interface found on the ROBO TX Controller unit. The robot is programmed so that it transmits measured values for ground color, temperature, brightness and obstacles. The robot is then controlled by hand using the operator’s console in the ROBO Pro software program.

Robotic Model for Competitions:

Build the Rescue Robot, utilizing the skills learned from programming and controlling the other models, as well as the various sensors and actuators, for competing in robotics events, such as the International RoboCup Junior competition.

Academic Standards and Benchmarks

Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.

Benchmarks K, M

Standard 3: Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields of study.

Benchmark D

Standard 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.

Benchmarks E, K

Standard 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving.

Benchmarks C, D, E, F

Standard 12: Students will develop the abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems.

Benchmarks D, F, H, J, K, N, O

Standard 13: Students will develop the abilities to assess the impact of products and systems.

Benchmark F

Standard 17: Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use information and communication technologies.

Benchmarks G, H