Robotics Build and Code Course

Course Outline

Level

Beginner

Suitable For

Teenagers

Description

Build a remote-controlled robot powered by a Raspberry Pi computer. Then make the robot drive itself!

Detail

Python Programming Essentials

We will take a quick overview of the programming concepts we will need for the course.

Anatomy of a Robot

We will examine a robot like the one you will build to understand the component parts.

Working with the Raspberry Pi

This small, cheap computer will be the brains of the robot. You will turn it on and explore its capabilities.

Working with controller boards

You will attach a controller board to the Pi and use Python code to control motors, sensors and lights.

Adding a remote control

You will learn how to connect and code a remote control and write more code to make the robot respond to user commands.

Building the body

You will take a look at the physical principles, design the robot and assemble it. The robot will be cut from plywood to your design specification.

Coding

You will code the robot to respond to commands, including moving forward, backwards, turning, spinning and stopping. Students will be encouraged to use a computational problem solving approach.

Line following

You will attach a line-following sensor and develop some code and algorithms to guide the robot along the line.

Obstacle avoidance

You will attach an ultrasonics sensor and develop some code and algorithms to help the robot navigate around the room without human intervention!

Tweaking, testing and optimisation

You will fine-tune and test the robot.

Further customisation

If time permits you will be able to add further customisations or undertake additional challenges.

Competitions

You will compete against other student's robots in a range of different challenges!

Price

See individual dates for details.

Skills you should have before you attend

None required. Those with existing programming skills will be able to tackle more advanced challenges.

Skills you will pick up in the course

Key skill categories

• Robotics
• Python programming
• Electronics
• Engineering
• Problem solving
• Algorithms

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to

• Build a simple remote controlled robot.
• Describe the physical design principles for a wheeled robot.
• Add and program light sensors for robot navigation.
• Add and program ultrasonic sensors for robot navigation.
• Analyse computational problems using modelling techniques.
• Breakdown complex computational problems into manageable tasks.
• Write Python code to implement robotic behaviours.

Dates