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Mobile Robotics
Using Lego RCX, Lego
NXT, and
Rug Warrior Pro Robots
Robots are fun! Watching small
mechanical creatures scurrying about, resolutely pursuing some course of action
is engaging. Unlike computer simulations that encourage us to enter the
computer’s virtual world, robots operate in the real world, where they are bound
by the same constraints that we are.
The course addresses introductory
through advanced concepts in robotics. Topics covered include history and
pioneers in the field, sensors, mechanics, electronics, machine architecture,
micro controllers, languages, and artificial intelligence.
Students will build mobile robots
using LEGO Mindstorms. These robots have a
microprocessor and infrared, touch, and visible light sensors. They can be programmed,
using a simple built-in language,
to respond to the environment and perform designated actions.
Both Lego and Rug Warrior Pro (described below) were designed at MIT and are
used world-wide in both high schools and colleges to teach the concepts of
mobile robotics and computer science. A major advantage is that both robots are
relatively easy to use and understand.
We then use a more
advanced robot – Rug Warrior Pro – that understands the Interactive C
programming language. This robot also has a microprocessor and is able to
respond to sound, touch,
visible, and infrared light. Students will write programs to interpret the
sensors
and send signals to the microprocessor of the
robots, directing them to perform various actions.
Some programs will be provided for
the robots, while others will be written by students and used in competitions
ranging from robots playing billiards to those engaged in battle bots.
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