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

2. 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:

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. RoboSumo
Push the other robot out of the Sumo ring

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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!

13. First Program: Go forward for 2 seconds and stop=

14. “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

15. 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.

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

17. ForwardBack

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

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

20. Turn 90 left ?

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

22. Spin 720 Right ?

23. Class Mission
A simple maze
Introduction to loops
box
box

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