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Daisy/Brownie Robotics Workshop

Seattle, WA

March 7, 2019

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Welcome

What will we do today?

Learn about robots and their applications

Explore sensors and learn how robots use them

Develop code to program a robot

Test our code with a real robot

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What is a “Robot”?

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Robotics Application: Mars Exploration

2004: Spirit and Opportunity rovers

Hint: Check out https://mars.nasa.gov/ for more information

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Robotics Application: Mars Exploration

2012: Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover

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Robotics Application: Mars Exploration

2018: Insight lander

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Planetary Scientist: Abigail Fraeman

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Curiosity Team Profiles

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Programming Turns Machines Into Robots

From https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/multimedia/videos/?v=109

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You Are The Programmers

Challenge: Create a program that moves the rover to the exit of the puzzle...

… using these commands:

Move forward 1 space

Pivot left 90 degrees

Pivot right 90 degrees

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Commands and Program: Scratch

Try it yourself: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/292423691/

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Programming Team Challenge

  1. Use BLANK puzzle sheet (inside plastic page protector). Programmer provides starting location

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  1. Execute the commands from the Programmer (draw on top of page protector with washable marker to mark your path)

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  1. Team: Insert MASTER puzzle sheet into page protector to check how well you did

Robot:

  1. Look at the MASTER puzzle sheet - don’t let partner (Robot) see it:

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  1. Create sequence of commands to solve puzzle:

Programmer:

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Let’s Try This On A Real Robot

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Sensors Enable Autonomy

What are sensors?

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Sensors Enable Autonomy

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Making Decisions Based on Sensors: IF Block

Do these commands if an obstacle is detected ahead

Do these commands if an obstacle is not detected ahead

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Making Decisions Based on Sensors: IF Block

An example: taking a shower…

IF water is too hot:

turn hot water down

turn hot water up

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Repeating Commands: Loops

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Consider a weird puzzle like this - goal is to go around and around:

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We could write a program like this:

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But we can instead use a LOOP to repeat the command(s) inside the loop:

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An Algorithm For Solving The Puzzle

Work together with your partner to create an algorithm to guide the rover across the puzzle using the movement commands, obstacle sensor, IF block, and LOOP

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An Algorithm For Solving The Puzzle

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Extra Slides And Additional Videos

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How Rovers Drive on Mars

https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/multimedia/videos/?v=109

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Curiosity Video

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Spacecraft Engineer: Farah Alibay

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Flight Dynamics Engineer: Carlie Zumwalt

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Mechanical Engineer: Abbie Hutty

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JPL Systems Engineer: Julie Wertz

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Testbed Engineer: Marleen Martinez

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Rover Driver: Hallie Gengl

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Rover Engineer: Mallory Lefland

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Mechanical Engineer: Amanda Steffy

https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/videos/?v=202

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Rover Planner: Erisa Hines

https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/videos/?v=204

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Systems Engineer: Jamie Catchen

https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/videos/?v=206

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Fault Protection Engineer: Mallory Lefland

https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/videos/?v=203