ERAU Computer Engineering Camp - Robotics Days

Richard S. Stansbury

The 2015 Summer Camp used the Lego Mindstorms Educational Kit purchaed from Lego Education.  Our kits ran the NXT 2.0 system, which is the previous generation Mindstorm.  Since these units are discontinued, the cost associated with them have gone up significantly if you buy new.  You can find used sets on E-Bay for around $200.

About one year ago, Lego upgraded from NXT 2.0 to EV3.  Those are more affordable, but different from the kits used in camp.  You can purchase an EV3 kit at amazon.com at the following link:  http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-6029291-Mindstorms-EV3-31313/dp/B00CWER3XY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403871970&sr=8-1&keywords=lego+nxt+2.0

Schedule

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Afternoon - Session #1

Part I - Introduction to Robot C

Lesson Videos:

• Karate Kid - Wax-on / Wax-off
• Thinking about Programming:  Behaviors
• RobotC 101 - Part I
• RobotC 101 - Part II

Building / Programming Instructions

• Lego Build Instructions:  REM Bot
• Downloading RobotC Firmware to NXT Brick
• Downloading a Sample Program to REM Bot
• Moving Forward Program (if time)

Afternoon - Session #2

Part I - Robot Movement

Lesson Videos:

• Moving Forward
• Speed Control
• Turning and Reverse

Building / Programming Instructions

• Programming Instructions - Page 1-3 -  Learn how to control motor speed
• Programming Instructions - Page 4-10 -  Learn how to control turning and reverse by changing motor speeds
• Optional / Advanced Instructions
  • Motor Synchronization
  • PID Motor Controller

Part II - Touch Sensors

Lesson Videos:

• Touch vs. Timing
• Configuring Sensors
• While Loop
• Putting It Together

Building / Programming Instructions

• Build Instructions:  Adding Light and Touch to REM Bot
• Reference: Print
• Programming Instructions:  Wall Bump Behavior
  • Follow instructions, if running out of time jump to page 17, "Putting it all together"

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Morning - Session #1

Part I - Sonar (Ultrasonic) Sensor

Lesson Videos:

• Introduction to Sonar in RobotC

Building / Programming Instructions

• Build Instructions:  Adding a Sonar
• Programming Instructions:  Programming a Sonar to Avoid Wall Collision

Part II - Wheel Encoders / Speed and Rotational Sensors

Lesson Videos:

• Driving Forward for a Distance
• Advanced:  Encoder Target Part I
• Advanced:  Encoder Target Part II

Building / Programming Instructions

• Reference:  Motor Encoder Programming
• (optional) Reference:  Writing Functions in RobotC
• Programming Challenge:  Wheel Encoder Challenge

Morning - Session #2

Part I - Line Detection

Lesson Videos:

• Introduction to Light Sensor
• Setting Thresholds for Light Sensor 
• Using Light Sensor to Move Until Dark

Building / Programming Instructions

• Reference:  Threshold Calculation
• Programming Instructions: Forward Until Dark

Part II - Line Following

Lesson Videos:

• Line Tracking Version 1.0
• Line Tracking Version 2.0

Building / Programming Instructions

• Reference:  If-Else Statements
• Reference:  Switch Statements
• Reference:  Timers
• Programming Instructions:  Line Tracker