Introduction to LEGO RCX robotics and Robot Sumo Workshop Day 1 CJ Chung Associate Professor of Computer Science Lawrence Technological University

This program is possible thanks to: a grant from Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Charitable Foundation Fund, which is a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. For more details, check out a press release at: http://www.ltu.edu/news/detail.asp?ContentId=F43D8217-293D-480E-B657-54392CB1171A

Schedule First Workshop Day (3 hours) Second Workshop Day (3 hours) Third Workshop Day (2 hours) Meetings with your school staff/teachers to improve your sumoBot (3 hours x 2 meetings suggested) Official Competition at your school to select one team to advance to the World Robofest Championship on April 26. Guests will be invited.

Workshop First Day (3 hours) Introduction to Robotics Introduction to Robofest and Robot Sumo Introduction to Lego Mindstorms and RCX Introduction to RCX Code programming using RIS (Robotics Invention System) 2.0 Basic programs Motors Wait

Introduction to Robotics What is a true robot? Autonomous robot with an on board computer Mechanical, electrical, and computational components Six fundamental components of a robot A brain or brains – computer Body: physical chasses that holds other pieces Actuators: motors, hydraulic pistons, pneumatics Sensors Power sources Communication mechanism

What is Robofest? 100% Autonomous Affordable Challenging: Unknown problem No direct adult help allowed during the competition Qualifiers and a World Championship Various categories including Robot Sumo Two divisions: 5th – 9th grade: Jr. Division 9th – 12th grade: Sr. Division

RoboSumo Push the other robot out of the Sumo ring

Specifications Junior Division Senior Division Sumo ring diameter   Junior Division Senior Division Sumo ring diameter 77 cm (30 inches) 122 cm (48 in) Maximum robot mass 1kg (2.2 lbs) 2 kg (4.4 lbs) Maximum robot width and length 23 cm (9 inches) 30 cm (11.75 inches) Maximum robot height no limit Robot type Any; Lego Mindstorms or NXT recommended. any

Why Sumo? The most popular robot competition in the world Integrator in Science Education – Math, Logic, Computers, Mechanics, and Physics Good for rookie teams Fun Motivator

Unknown Problem in Robofest Sumo How to start is unknown Need sensor(s) Teams must bring a computer to program the unknown parts

Introduction to Lego Mindstorms Born in USA at MIT RJ: Roverbot Jr. Brain – RCX micro computer Body: Lego pieces Actuators: up to 3 motors Sensors: Light, touch, etc. Power source: 9V (six AA batteries) Communication mechanism: IR Left motor: A Right motor: C Light sensor on Port No. 1 Touch sensor on Port No. 2

Introduction to RCX Code Programming RIS (Robotics Invention System) 2.0 Dag and drop program blocks: Power, Wait, Repeat, Sensors, “Yes or No”, and My Blocks How to create the first program: Click on Create a user account Watch movie or press “enter” to skip it Click on “Program”, instead of Missions Check to skip the tutorials Click on “Program” again Click on “Freestyle” – You will see the program canvas!

First Program: Go forward for 2 seconds and stop =

“Cover your robot and IR tower when you download programs” Very Important!!!!! “Cover your robot and IR tower when you download programs” Save your programs File Names should be meaningful Use logbook and comment

Power Commands On On For: On + Wait + Off Off Set Power: Min 1 ~ Max 8 Coast Brake Set Power: Min 1 ~ Max 8 Set Direction: Reverse Direction: Not recommended to use. Use Set Direction instead.

ForwardBack Go Forward for 2 seconds, Wait 3 seconds then Backward for 2 seconds

ForwardBack

Making Turns Turn left Spin left Face left stop Left wheel Right wheel

Turn 90 left Go forward for 2 seconds, Turn Left 90 degrees, and

Turn 90 left ?

Spin 720 right Go forward for a second, Spin right two times (720 degrees), Go forward for a second 90o 720o

Spin 720 Right ?

Class Mission A simple maze Introduction to loops box box

Additional Mission, if time available Introduction to loops: Making 100 beep sounds