NXT Relay Race Challenge

DDE Approach

DESIGN

DEVELOPEVALUATE

The Design Process.

1)Identify the need or problem2)Research the need or problem

Examine current state of the issue and current solutions Explore other options via the internet, library, interviews, etc.

3)Develop possible solution(s) Brainstorm possible solutions Draw on mathematics and science Articulate the possible solutions in two and three dimensions Refine the possible solutions

4)Select the best possible solution(s) Determine which solution(s) best meet(s) the original requirements

5)Construct a prototype Model the selected solution(s) in two and three dimensions

6)Test and evaluate the solution(s) does it work? does it meet the original design constraints?

7)Communicate the solution(s) Make an engineering presentation that includes a discussion of how the

solution(s) best meet(s) the needs of the initial problem, opportunity, or need Discuss societal impact and tradeoffs of the solution(s)

8)Redesign Overhaul the solution(s) based on information gathered during the tests and

presentation

The Design Process.

LEGO Education Design Process.The 4C Approach

4C ApproachThe following structure is the backbone of all material used for LEGO Education products.• Connect• Construct• Contemplate• Continue

One of the key aspects of learning by making is the fact that children learn best when they can either relate new experiences to their existing "knowledge bank" or are exposed to an idea so compelling that it inspires them to learn more about it. This is what could be called the Connect phase. The Construct phase is all about constructing things in the real world and piecing knowledge together in the mind. Students plan, program software or build solutions to solve given tasks.

An important phase in an effective learning process is the Contemplate phase, which involves students taking time to think about what they have seen or constructed, thus deepening their understanding of what they experience. They discuss the project, reflect and adapt their idea, and the teacher encourages this process by asking questions.

The Continue phase builds on the natural urge to want to know more. Doing so will lead students to a new Connect phase, thus allowing them to enter a positive learning spiral, where they overcome increasingly difficult challenges. .

Situation – Connect PhaseYou have been selected as a team member in the Gold Coast Robotic Relay Race.

You must form a team of 2 to 3 people and set up and program a prebuilt LEGO NXT robot to run one stage of the 12 stage Relay race.

Your team will be given a stage in the race and you must liaise with the teams on either side of your robot to work out the starting and triggering method of each robot.

Once your robot is triggered it must travel exactly 100cm (use the rotation sensor in the motors) to trigger the next robot in the Relay Race.

Relay Race LayoutTeam 1Light Sensor

Team 2Touch Sensor

Team 3Ultrasonic Sensor

Team 4Light SensorWith Pin

Team 5Sound Sensor

Team 6Ultrasonic Sensor

Team 7Light Sensor

Team 8Touch Sensor

Team 9Ultrasonic Sensor facing team 8

Team 10Touch Sensor

Team 11Light SensorWith Pin.

Team 12Sound Sensor

START

END

Balloon

Balloon

Relay Race Layout• A torch will be shone on Team 1’s robot to start the race.• Team 1’s robot will travel 100cm and stop.• Team 1’s robot will have hit Team 2’s touch sensor.• Team 2’s robot will travel 100cm and stop.• Team 2’s robot will trigger Team 3’s Ultrasonic Sensor.• Team 3’s robot will travel 100cm and stop.• Team 3’s robot has a torch on it which will trigger Team 4’s light Sensor.• Team 4’s robot will travel 100cm and stop.• Team 4’s robot has a pin attached to it which will pop a balloon.• The noise of the popping balloon will trigger Team 5’s Sound Sensor• Team 5’s robot will travel 100cm and stop. • Etc.

NXT OverviewUSB Socket. NXT connects via a cable to the computer

On/Select Button

Off/Back Button

Side Menu Select Buttons

Information Display

OUTPUTS on Port A, B and C

INPUTS on Port 1,2,3 and 4

NXT Overview

INPUTS or Sensors on Port 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ultrasonic Sensor

Light Sensor

Sound Sensor

Touch Sensor

OUTPUTS on Port A, B and C

Motors

NXT Sensors

Touch Sensor Light Sensor

Sound Sensor Ultrasonic Sensor

Balloon and Holder to trigger Sound Sensor

Pin and holder to pop the balloonsThe robot will need to be modified to hold the pin

Torch and Holder to trigger Light Sensor The robot will need to be modified to hold the torch

Opening NXT Software

•Start Bar•Programs•LEGO Mindstorm Edu NXT 2.0•NXT 2.0 Programming

Front Screen

Start New Program

Open Recent Program

Overview

Download Program to NXT

View NXT Information Window

Common Palette .

Action Palette.

Sensor Palette

Flow Palette

Data Palette

Advanced Palette

Click on Complete Palette

Move Palette

Move Block

Record Block

Sound Blocks

Display Block

Wait Blocks

Loop Block

Switch Blocks

‘Wait For’ Block•Click on the Move palette and select the ‘Wait For’ block.•Drop the ‘Wait For’ block next to the start beam.•Configure the ‘Wait For’ block using the options setup.

‘Wait For’ Block Options

Touch Sensor – Port 1 – Action Pressed

Sound Sensor – Port 1 – Until > 90

Light Sensor – Port 1 – Light > 50

Ultrasonic Sensor – Port 1 – Distance < 10cm

‘Wait For’ Block Options

The Move Block

Direction:Forward/Backward, Stop orSteering direction.

Power Level

Duration:Unlimited, Seconds, Degrees or Rotations

Move Block Options

Motors A,B and C – Forward- Power Level 75 – For 1 Rotation of the Wheel – Stop After Duration

Motors A and C – Forward- Power Level 75 – For 360 degrees of wheel turn – Stop After Duration

Motors A and C – Steering to the left- Power Level 75 – Unlimited Duration

Motors A and C – Steering to the left- Power Level 75 – Duration for 1 second

Move Block Options

Setting up the Move block – Rotations Needed.

Relay RaceChallenge: Your Robot starts when the Sensor is triggered.

•Using a ‘Wait For’ Block to start the program.•Use the Sensor as per group instructions•Plug in the Sensor into Port 1.•Set the ‘Wait For’ block to Port 1.•Set up the block as per next slides. •Add the move blocks after this block.•Work out how many rotations are needed to travel 100cm.•Download the program.• Test the program and fine tune if needed.

Relay Race Sample Program

Program Download

Plug in USB Cable to NXT and Computer. Turn on NXT and click on Download.

Download to NXT Button

Running the Program

Running the Program•Click on ‘My Computer’ – Select Orange Button.•Click on ‘Software Files’ – Select Orange Button.•Use Side Select Buttons to find the Program Name.•Click on Orange Button to Select Program.• Click on Orange Button to Run the Program.•Grey Rectangle Button Stops the program.

Turning off the NXT •Keep on Pressing the Grey Button until the ‘Turn Off’ message.•Press Orange Button to confirm.

Light Sensor Readings. Calibrating the Robot – Recording the Colour Light Sensor Readings

Use Side Menu Buttons and scroll across until ‘View’ is shown – Press Orange Button to Select

Light Sensor Readings. Calibrating the Robot – Recording the Colour Light Sensor Readings

Use Side Menu Buttons and scroll across until ‘Reflected Light’ is shown. Press Orange Button to Select

Light Sensor Readings. Calibrating the Robot – Recording the Colour Light Sensor Readings

Use Side Menu Buttons and scroll across until the Port your Sensor is plugged into is shown. Press Orange Button to Select

This number shows the percentage of light Reflected back.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

Thinking about the information you know and the information needed.

• What are the main features that your solution must have?

• What engineering principles or software features do you think your solution will need?

Thinking about imagination and creativity.

• Sketch and label an existing design that could solve the problem.

• Modify the design by using some of the engineering principles or software features researched in the Connect phase.

• Is there a ‘new’ approach to the problem that you can think of? Sketch and label your solution.

Thinking about what is needed and planning.

• List the important design features that your solution has.

• What the steps that you are going to take to design,

construction and test the solution? • What individual tasks are the team members going to

do?

Thinking about emotions, feelings and hunches.• Were you pleased how the design process went?

• What parts of the process did you like ?

• Do you like the way the solution looks?

• How did your team work together?

• Did you have any ideas how the model would perform

before you tested it?

Thinking about benefits and values.

• What was good about your solution?

• How does the solution accomplish the challenge?

• Discuss your views with your partner or class members.

Thinking about the difficulties and problems associated with a topic.

• What was wrong your design?

• What difficulties did you have?

• Discuss your views with your partner or class members.

Thinking about what is needed next.

• What have you learnt through this activity?

What parts of the solution could you add too or change to

improve it?

• What are the new features that your modified solution must

have?

• What new engineering principles or software elements do

you think your modified solution will need?

Useful NXT Websites•www.nxtprograms.com•http://www.ortop.org/NXT_Tutorial/•www.legoengineering.com•www.thenxtstep.blogspot.com•www.nxtasy.org