Introduction to LEGO RCX robotics and Robot Sumo

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Introduction to LEGO RCX robotics and Robot Sumo

• Workshop Day 1
• CJ Chung
• Associate Professor of Computer Science
• Lawrence Technological University

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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?ContentIdF43D
  8217-293D-480E-B657-54392CB1171A

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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RoboSumo
Push the other robot out of the Sumo ring
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Specifications
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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

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Unknown Problem in Robofest Sumo

• How to start is unknown
• Need sensor(s)
• Teams must bring a computer to program the
  unknown parts

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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
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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!

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First Program Go forward for 2 seconds and stop

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Very Important!!!!!

• Cover your robot and IR tower when you download
  programs
• Save your programs
• File Names should be meaningful
• Use logbook and comment

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Power Commands

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

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ForwardBack

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

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ForwardBack
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Making Turns

• Turn left
• Spin left
• Face left

stop
Left wheel
Right wheel
Left wheel
Right wheel
stop
Left wheel
Right wheel
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Turn 90 left

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

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Turn 90 left
?
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Spin 720 right

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

90o
720o
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Spin 720 Right
?
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Class Mission

• A simple maze
• Introduction to loops

box
box
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Additional Mission, if time available

• Introduction to loops Making 100 beep sounds