Welcome the Year 10 Technology page

for Mr Plummer's classes!

Unit: iRobot.

Context:

The advances in robot technology in recent years have been incredible. Breakthroughs in nanotechnology, advances with computing power and clever engineering have given us many robotic inventions that were once only possi

4.jpg

ble in Science Fiction. Many people are wary, even frightened, of what the future may hold. Will robots take over the world?
Tasks:
You design and make working robots to meet a series of challenges in order to demonstrate your understanding of robotics. You will exhibit the best of these robots to the school community in order to excite and engage people with the possibilities of this technology. You need to be able to explain how your robot(s) works in detail and be prepared to answer questions.

iRobot.doc

Please download the Word.doc for your task and assessments.

Software Updates: You need these from HERE

Snow Leopard users please download and install : NXT EDU 2.1f5 Patch
Lion users: NXT EDU 10.7 Lion installer. START IN 32 BIT MODE!

INVESTIGATE: DUE:

Identify the Problem. (Research)

Evaluate the importance of the problem for life, society and the environment.

Outline the design brief

Identify the Problem. (Research)

AOI: Human Ingenuity! Examine the impact of robotics/tech on society today and in the future. Look at how robotics are being used right now in 2 or 3 of the following areas;

industry, (automotive, computing)
entertainment, (toys,etc)
military,
in the home,
science,
medicine

How do they affect peoples lives today? How to people feel about robots? Why?Then make predictions about one of the above topics to explore further.
What the future might hold.
This is a significant piece of written work!
Link it back to the AOI...
Click HERE for some interesting videos.
50 greatest robots of all time.
Robotic Fish
When robots Kill
Sand Flea

Note: if you up load a video or image then youu need to explain the video. What is ia all about? What did you learn? What do you think!?

Write a design brief (one full paragraph) to outline the design challenge;
"I will be designing robots using the Lego Mindstorms robotics kits to solve various challenges in order to demonstrate my understanding of robotics systems..."

Develop A Design Brief.

Formulate and discuss appropriate questions that guide the investigation.

Identify and acknowledge a range of appropriate sources of information.

Collect, analyse, select, organize and evaluate information.

Evaluate the sources of information

Write some guiding questions: What will you need to know in order to meet the design challenge eg; What do the sensors do? How do work? How program? What are the output devices? ETC.

Develop A Design Brief.

Create a "Mindstorms Investigation"page under 'Investigate'.
Create a table and add pictures and description off all the input and output devices in the Mindstorms kits. Explain them! What are they, how do they work, what can they do.
You all have 3 tasks to complete from the Common Pallet.

1.tiff

Take screen shots of the programming to explain what each programming block that you have used does.

2.tiff

3.tiff

Complete some research into Lego Sumo Bots. Add some videos of Sumo competitions and comment on the designs. Which robots won? Why?

Comment on appropriateness of information sources for the research complete about robotics that you have used through out your investigation.

Complete a bibliography.

Formulate a Design Specification.

List the specific requirements that must be met by the product/solution.

Design tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.

Your Design Challenge will be to design and make "Sumo Bots" We will do battle in an circular arena of approximately 1.2m in diameter. The object will be to push your opponent our of the ring. The detailed rules of engagement will be made public soon....

Formulate a Design Specification.

List Required and Desired specification points based upon you research into Lego Mindstorms and Sumo Bots.

Describe tests for your robotics designs.
For example:

Test the light sensor which keeps the robot inside the ring by programming a simple edge avoidance program.
Test the turning capacity by programming swift turns left and right.
Test various wheel combinations for traction.

Lego Sumo rules!

NEIRG Sumo Rules.docx

iRobot Criteria A.docx

Assessment Rubric for Criteria A: Investigate.

Design Objectives
Design a Product or Solution

Generate several feasible designs that meet the design specification

Evaluate the designs against the design specification

Select one design and justify its choice.

Design Tasks
Design a Product or Solution

On your Design page, explain several (3-4) possible designs for your Sumo Bot.
You can use Lego Digital Designer if you wish.
You could use Google Sketch-up and download Lego Mindstorms parts from the 3D Warehouse
You can sketch your ideas with annotation and written explanation.
You need to describe your design idea for the robot in detail and describe how you hope to program the software. You could use a flow chart to do this. (Inspiration software) This is the tricky bit!
Once you have a 'base design' you can conduct testing. eg, wheels types, sensor positioning,

Then you make the first design and test it!
Video your prototypes, upload them to your site.
Document your group discussions...tell me what you were thinking.
Evaluate your prototypes using the design specification and make suggestions as to improve them.

iRobot criteria B.docx

TEAMS

Create Objectives

Create the Product or Solution

Use a range of appropriate techniques and equipment competently.

Ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others.

Use Appropriate Techniques and Equipment

Follow the plan to produce the product/solution.

Evaluate the plan and justify any changes to the plan (when necessary).

Follow the Plan

Create a product/solution of appropriate quality.

TEAMS

Create Tasks
Create the Product or Solution

Build your robot and record the process.
Use photos and videos to explain how your Sumo-Bot was created.

What problems did you have?
How were they solved?
What worked well?
What changes did you make?
Why?

iRobot Criteria D.docx

Evaluate Objectives
Evaluate your Product or Solution

Carry out tests to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification

Evaluate the success of the product/solution in an objective manner based on testing, their own views and the views of the intended user.

Evaluate the impact of the product/solution on individuals and on society.

Explain how the product/solution could be improved.

Evaluate your Use of the Design Cycle.

Evaluate their performance at each stage of the design cycle
Suggest ways in which their performance could be improved.

Evaluate Tasks

Test your robot by fighting against other SumoBots. (Videos!)
How did yours perform? What part of your design worked well? What not so well?
How can you improve your design? (Photos perhaps)

Evaluate your robot USING YOUR DESIGN SPECIFICATION as an evaluation tool.

Discus the possible uses for the technology explored during this unit of work in the real world. Perhaps in manufacturing, military, disaster relief, education...etc

Discus the AOI and the Significant Concept. What is your understanding?

Complete a personal reflection on your own learning at each stage of the design cycle. What did you do particularly well? What could you do to improve?
Perhaps use some of the Learner profile attributes as a guide.

Evalaute the Approaches to Learning skills used in this unit:
Collaboration
Creativity
Problem Solving.

(probably around 500 words total )

iRobot Criterion E.docx

AlphaRex.pdf

Spike.pdf