Today moved along very similarly as yesterday.
Fara continued modifying the recycling bot, using ideas for Erika and Andy's grabber. Fara also began the write up for the accelerometer sensor.
Chris continued his work with the PS2 controllers for the prey bot by starting to test some code while Reza continued work on (almost perfected) code for the predator bots.
Brad began writing and testing lane switching code for the racing bot. He and Krista have also made a small sample track that has round corners which seems to work much better. Slight modifications on the bot has also been made.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday July15
Brad was out sick today so Krista worked on the write up for the Racing activity. The outline of the 4 activities is complete along with ideas for each round of racing that should take place. She also added a second lane to the "test track" so when Brad is back they will be able to start working on lane switching.
Fara and Erika worked on changing the model. It has been difficult to find an object that works well for the recycling bot because the claws do close completely on most objects. If the claws are not all the way closed, they wiggle around a lot and the object is often dropped. They've been trying to modify Andy's claw contraption into their robot but it is still a work in progress. Fara also started som preliminary testing on the accelerometer sensor.
Reza continued his work on the tracking and movement functions for the predator bot while Chris researched and created libraries for the PS2 controller. They have now firmly decided that they "prey" bots will be controlled with the PS2's while the predators will rely on their code to track and catch the prey.
Fara and Erika worked on changing the model. It has been difficult to find an object that works well for the recycling bot because the claws do close completely on most objects. If the claws are not all the way closed, they wiggle around a lot and the object is often dropped. They've been trying to modify Andy's claw contraption into their robot but it is still a work in progress. Fara also started som preliminary testing on the accelerometer sensor.
Reza continued his work on the tracking and movement functions for the predator bot while Chris researched and created libraries for the PS2 controller. They have now firmly decided that they "prey" bots will be controlled with the PS2's while the predators will rely on their code to track and catch the prey.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, July 14
It's sunny and gorgeous outside! Finally!
Today, Krista and Brad tested all three of the line-following algorithms for the racing robot on an octagon track. They were having trouble with the line-following on the corners, so they're trying to figure out a way to make a good circular/oval track. They also worked to figure out the best place to locate the light sensor on their robot, and will continue this tomorrow.
Chris and Reza worked on the code for the PS2 controller and worked on setting up the libraries necessary for that. They also made the decision, regarding the Predator/Prey activity, to make all the prey human-controllable via the PS2 controller. Reza also worked on devising predator functions to be used in all of the activity. Today, he worked mainly on predator functions for the grasshopper.
Erika and Fara worked some more on their search, grab, and line-following modules. They're still having problems with the search module, in that the ultrasonic sensor "sees" the trash objects in its peripheral vision and begins moving forwards immediately. By the time it reaches the object, it is up to a few inches away, because it stopped its rotation before the object was directly in front of it. They are playing with ways to have the robot turn a few more degrees after detecting an object to correct this. Erika also worked on determining which types of "trash" objects work best for the robot claws. It was found that an empty cup or other such light object gets tossed around too much by the wobbling arms. The robot can't grab large objects tightly enough to carry them, but the ultrasonic sensor can't detect small objects. A field trip might be necessary to see what types of large, easily-squished balls can be found. Fara also worked on the activity write-up for the Trash-Collector.
Today, Krista and Brad tested all three of the line-following algorithms for the racing robot on an octagon track. They were having trouble with the line-following on the corners, so they're trying to figure out a way to make a good circular/oval track. They also worked to figure out the best place to locate the light sensor on their robot, and will continue this tomorrow.
Chris and Reza worked on the code for the PS2 controller and worked on setting up the libraries necessary for that. They also made the decision, regarding the Predator/Prey activity, to make all the prey human-controllable via the PS2 controller. Reza also worked on devising predator functions to be used in all of the activity. Today, he worked mainly on predator functions for the grasshopper.
Erika and Fara worked some more on their search, grab, and line-following modules. They're still having problems with the search module, in that the ultrasonic sensor "sees" the trash objects in its peripheral vision and begins moving forwards immediately. By the time it reaches the object, it is up to a few inches away, because it stopped its rotation before the object was directly in front of it. They are playing with ways to have the robot turn a few more degrees after detecting an object to correct this. Erika also worked on determining which types of "trash" objects work best for the robot claws. It was found that an empty cup or other such light object gets tossed around too much by the wobbling arms. The robot can't grab large objects tightly enough to carry them, but the ultrasonic sensor can't detect small objects. A field trip might be necessary to see what types of large, easily-squished balls can be found. Fara also worked on the activity write-up for the Trash-Collector.
Friday, July 10, 2009
07/10/09 TGIF!!!!
Krista did the design in the Lego Designer for a new Race Car Model. She built two buggy model and made a few changes while constructing them. She updated the new version in the designer.
Chris worked on the Predator Prey Challenges and activities. He also fixed the model in the designer.
Reza continued to work with the programming. He tested the communication code and it works perfectly. He also tested the movement code which seems like it was going well from my observation. He also helped Faradjine with debugging.
Fara worked on the sorting by color code and also following the line code. so far it is working well for red, blue and green. She also started the description for the activity.
Have a good Week-End!!!
Chris worked on the Predator Prey Challenges and activities. He also fixed the model in the designer.
Reza continued to work with the programming. He tested the communication code and it works perfectly. He also tested the movement code which seems like it was going well from my observation. He also helped Faradjine with debugging.
Fara worked on the sorting by color code and also following the line code. so far it is working well for red, blue and green. She also started the description for the activity.
Have a good Week-End!!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
07/08/09 !!
Today was a day full of sharing.
Krista and Brad worked on making a (second) new model of the racing bot- the touch sensors were removed in replace of a third motor that will swivel the US sensor in order to search for other racing bots nearby. They started completely from scratch so this took most of the day. after brad left (frustrating with gearing problems) Krista spent the rest of the day figuring out and testing the gearing to allow the swiveling US.
Fara and Erika (along with some help from both Reza and Chris) worked on coding the trash collecting bot. They have had some trouble finding objects to represent "trash" that will work with both the US sensor and the claw mechanism. They also had some difficulties with different parts of the code but have figured out most of the problems.
Reza and Chris worked on more of the predator/prey activity and code. They came up with a good story for the activity (involving an unsuspecting leaf, grasshopper, snake and hawk) that will work very well with the overall theme of the activity. The robot is finished in the digital designer so soon, a second bot will be built to start working on communication/evasion and searching.
Krista and Brad worked on making a (second) new model of the racing bot- the touch sensors were removed in replace of a third motor that will swivel the US sensor in order to search for other racing bots nearby. They started completely from scratch so this took most of the day. after brad left (frustrating with gearing problems) Krista spent the rest of the day figuring out and testing the gearing to allow the swiveling US.
Fara and Erika (along with some help from both Reza and Chris) worked on coding the trash collecting bot. They have had some trouble finding objects to represent "trash" that will work with both the US sensor and the claw mechanism. They also had some difficulties with different parts of the code but have figured out most of the problems.
Reza and Chris worked on more of the predator/prey activity and code. They came up with a good story for the activity (involving an unsuspecting leaf, grasshopper, snake and hawk) that will work very well with the overall theme of the activity. The robot is finished in the digital designer so soon, a second bot will be built to start working on communication/evasion and searching.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
It was finally sunny again today after some morning rain!
Today, Chris worked on finishing the design for the Predator/Prey robot and putting it into the Lego Designer. He also looked into ideas for the Predator/Prey activity and the story to go along with it. Reza finished the communication functions for the Predator/Prey robots. He worked on the activity write-up and, with Chris, discussed the storyline and how to work in into the activity.
Brad and Krista made a test model for their non-gyroscopic racing robot today and tested the robot using the line-follower program. They also worked on creating a broad overview of the racing activity. In the afternoon, Krista worked on improving their vehicle model.
Erika and Fara continued to work on the trash collector program today. They made small modules of code to search for objects and to grab objects, and they tested these on the robot. However, they had trouble getting the robot to stop turning immediately when it sees an object during the search, so when it drives forward it always ends up a few centimeters away from the object. They also noticed that the front portion of the robot, which contains the grabbing claws and all three sensors, is too heavy for its minimal attachment to the body of the robot and it bounces around a lot during movement. At the end of the day, they started working on improving the robot's design so it will be more stable when moving and turning.
Today, Chris worked on finishing the design for the Predator/Prey robot and putting it into the Lego Designer. He also looked into ideas for the Predator/Prey activity and the story to go along with it. Reza finished the communication functions for the Predator/Prey robots. He worked on the activity write-up and, with Chris, discussed the storyline and how to work in into the activity.
Brad and Krista made a test model for their non-gyroscopic racing robot today and tested the robot using the line-follower program. They also worked on creating a broad overview of the racing activity. In the afternoon, Krista worked on improving their vehicle model.
Erika and Fara continued to work on the trash collector program today. They made small modules of code to search for objects and to grab objects, and they tested these on the robot. However, they had trouble getting the robot to stop turning immediately when it sees an object during the search, so when it drives forward it always ends up a few centimeters away from the object. They also noticed that the front portion of the robot, which contains the grabbing claws and all three sensors, is too heavy for its minimal attachment to the body of the robot and it bounces around a lot during movement. At the end of the day, they started working on improving the robot's design so it will be more stable when moving and turning.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday July 6, 2009
Today, we had quite sporadic weather as usual.
Aside from that, Krista continued to work with Brad on the Segway bot. Brad worked with the gyroscope code to try to make his own, however, with all of the constants necessary for it to work correctly, Krista and Brad decided to use cars instead. They did put the segway in the designer, so if anybody has time and wants to mess with that, they can. They
Chris began to put the predator/prey bot into the Lego Designer. He is doing some model tweaking as he goes to make it better and easier.
Reza spoke with Chris at the beginning of the day to get information on what he was doing and what he had done this past week so he can get caught up. With that info, Reza began working on some code for the predator/prey bots. Today, he specifically worked on the communication code.
Erika and Fara had been working on the code with the grabber robot. They found that some of the original code did not work well, or work as well as they had hoped, so they decided to write some of their own. They will be working on this through tomorrow.
Aside from that, Krista continued to work with Brad on the Segway bot. Brad worked with the gyroscope code to try to make his own, however, with all of the constants necessary for it to work correctly, Krista and Brad decided to use cars instead. They did put the segway in the designer, so if anybody has time and wants to mess with that, they can. They
Chris began to put the predator/prey bot into the Lego Designer. He is doing some model tweaking as he goes to make it better and easier.
Reza spoke with Chris at the beginning of the day to get information on what he was doing and what he had done this past week so he can get caught up. With that info, Reza began working on some code for the predator/prey bots. Today, he specifically worked on the communication code.
Erika and Fara had been working on the code with the grabber robot. They found that some of the original code did not work well, or work as well as they had hoped, so they decided to write some of their own. They will be working on this through tomorrow.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thursday (Faux-Friday!), July 2nd
Today, everything to do with the forklifts have been packed away to be sent to San Diego (excluding one forklift that is currently charging). This includes all robots, pallets, chargers, usb cables as well as a kit full of extra parts and cables for "just in case". Reza has gone over the activity document for the last time, this will need tobe reviewed by someone else on Monday.
Chris worked on some code for the predator/prey activity. He also made some pretty big changes on the robot, removing the tank treads in favor of wheels which offer more even maneuverability for the infrared sensors. He plans on finalizing and building the model in the digital designer next week.
After much difficulty, and a little help from Krista, Fara finished building the trash collecting robot in the digital designer. She then began working on code for this activity, which will continue progress next week.
Brad tested out some new code (including some that used the PS2 controllers!) with two slightly different models of the segway bot. The newest version of this bot, which Krista built, has a much tighter center of gravity and preforms much better than the original version. Changing code around deamed pretty tricky and a fair amount of experimentation ensued. More testing will continue at the beginning of next week; after this, we will decide if the segway/gyro bots would be suitable for a racing activity. If the gyro bot does not seem approptriate, a different "race car" model will be developed next week.
Chris worked on some code for the predator/prey activity. He also made some pretty big changes on the robot, removing the tank treads in favor of wheels which offer more even maneuverability for the infrared sensors. He plans on finalizing and building the model in the digital designer next week.
After much difficulty, and a little help from Krista, Fara finished building the trash collecting robot in the digital designer. She then began working on code for this activity, which will continue progress next week.
Brad tested out some new code (including some that used the PS2 controllers!) with two slightly different models of the segway bot. The newest version of this bot, which Krista built, has a much tighter center of gravity and preforms much better than the original version. Changing code around deamed pretty tricky and a fair amount of experimentation ensued. More testing will continue at the beginning of next week; after this, we will decide if the segway/gyro bots would be suitable for a racing activity. If the gyro bot does not seem approptriate, a different "race car" model will be developed next week.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
First Day Of The Month, July 1ST
As the day started, Erika and Fara tested the activity 0 robots, they tested for each sensor and made sure they worked properly. Afterward, Erika packed the robots and also some of the forklift's model pieces. In the meantime, Fara was working on the model, trying to adjust it so it can fit in the Lego Designer, she started the design and so far it is working well. Erika finished her day by completing her writing draft for the trash collector.
On the other side, while Reza was working on finalizing the Forklift model by changing the codes and designs, Chris on his side, was finalizing the robot model for the Predator Prey Challenge. Both completed their task successfully. They will probably start working on the testing and ideas tomorrow.
Finally, Krista and Brad were working on their final design for the racing/segway model. Krista was testing the gyroscope with a sample program made by Brad, she tested all of them. Meanwhile, Brad was working on the code he found online, trying to understand each part and testing it.
On the other side, while Reza was working on finalizing the Forklift model by changing the codes and designs, Chris on his side, was finalizing the robot model for the Predator Prey Challenge. Both completed their task successfully. They will probably start working on the testing and ideas tomorrow.
Finally, Krista and Brad were working on their final design for the racing/segway model. Krista was testing the gyroscope with a sample program made by Brad, she tested all of them. Meanwhile, Brad was working on the code he found online, trying to understand each part and testing it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
june 30th
Reza continued work on his fleet of forklift bots, while completing the peripherals that accompany the activities.
Chris worked on the predator/prey bot that will use the IR ball detection and ultrasonic to find the prey.
The trash collector continued progress with Erika and Fera.
Brad worked on the board game/balance bot.
Chris worked on the predator/prey bot that will use the IR ball detection and ultrasonic to find the prey.
The trash collector continued progress with Erika and Fera.
Brad worked on the board game/balance bot.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Spring 2 (June 29-July 17)
Sprint Goals:
Each Sprint Goal has a set of associated tasks, sprint items, that are assigned to one or more people for the current sprint. Other tasks may need to be added or people re-assigned as issues arise and collaboration is encouraged. The name listed with the task is the person who is the lead for completing that task.
Assignments (Sprint Items):
Pairs will work on specified challenge, where each challenge consists of:
- Revise any last issues with Forklift Challenge for the San Diego Workshop (Project Goal 1)
- Assemble and label (with Braille) the forklifts to be used for the San Diego workshop. (Project Goal 1)
- Have a detailed understanding of the following sensors: Gyroscope, PS2 controller, Accelerometer. Understanding is based on experimentation with quantitative and qualitative data gathering using various lighting, materials, etc. as relevant to the sensors being studied. (Project Goal 2)
- From brainstormed list, complete 3-4 challenges, including code, materials, robot model and the proofreading and testing there of. (Project Goal 1)
Each Sprint Goal has a set of associated tasks, sprint items, that are assigned to one or more people for the current sprint. Other tasks may need to be added or people re-assigned as issues arise and collaboration is encouraged. The name listed with the task is the person who is the lead for completing that task.
Assignments (Sprint Items):
- SG1: Revise any last issues with Forklift Challenge for the San Diego Workshop - Reza
- SG2: Assemble and label (with Braille) the forklifts to be used for the San Diego workshop. - All will build; Erika, Krista will label the robots with the provided Braille labeler
- SG3: Sensor Analysis: Gyroscopic (Brad, Krista), Accelerometer (Erika, Fara), PS2 controller (Chris, Reza)
- Inventory the sensors and note any that do not function properly (be specific in how they do not work and attach the note to the sensor in its box)
- Devise appropriate tests for each sensor using a variety of materials/distances/etc as relevant to the sensor; log what the tests are and how carried out in order to replicate them later - the tests will require some proof-of-concept programing and building an appropriate lego model to hold the sensor.
- Maintain a data set of your quantitative and qualitative results in Excel/Word
- Summarize your findings and provide a set of best practices and caveats for the use of each sensor in activities (to be used in this project and to disseminated to others)
- SG4: From brainstormed list, complete 3-4 challenges, including code, materials, robot model and the proofreading and testing there of.
- Trash Collector then Color Sorter extension: Erika, Faradjine
- Predator/Prey then Sumo: Reza, Chris
- Racing then Board Game: Brad, Krista
Pairs will work on specified challenge, where each challenge consists of:
- Robot model is developed and finalized and is determined to be constructable from 1 'kit'.
- Robot model is documented in Lego Designer and the instructions have been tested
- Challenge write-up has been written and proofread.
- Challenge write-up has been inspected by a peer, and has been revised as needed.
- Challenge write-up has been checked in under a folder named for that challenge (where all challenge materials will be stored)
- Challenge solution code has been completed, tested, commented, and checked. It's file name contains the work solution in it.
- The Challenge has been broken down into a set of tutorial write-ups (will be handouts) that break down the challenge's main concepts into small chunks where the students work with small programs and concepts in order to be ready to solve the overall challenge.
- The Challenge tutorial code is completed, tested, and commented. Name the files according to the challenge, the concept being taught and the number that indicates the order that the tutorial should be done in e.g. Maze_Repeat_2.nxc
- Any helper libraries are completed, tested, and commented. They are also clearly labels that they are a helper library and checked in with the challenge.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 26
Today, there wasn't a great variety of work done besides a lot of forklift building. After an initial hickup with the Lego Designer(what else is new?), Krista, Fara, Chris and Reza were able to complete a forklift each in about three hours. I noticed there were a few small problems with the design, but all of those have been fixed. There still remains three pieces that are not properly placed in the design model for the program will not allow the pieces to fit properly.
After lunch, we got back to the forklifts, and we finished the last two models in about another three hours. After this, we tested each model by running the forklift code on the short course. Some of the color sensors vary very slightly on the color of certain objects, so there will need to be a color range for each colored square. Also, some light sensors appear more sensitive than others, so the intensity values might have to be tweaked a little so all work properly. We will make these final changes on Monday, and also try to be prepared to have our proposals completed by Monday afternoon.
After lunch, we got back to the forklifts, and we finished the last two models in about another three hours. After this, we tested each model by running the forklift code on the short course. Some of the color sensors vary very slightly on the color of certain objects, so there will need to be a color range for each colored square. Also, some light sensors appear more sensitive than others, so the intensity values might have to be tweaked a little so all work properly. We will make these final changes on Monday, and also try to be prepared to have our proposals completed by Monday afternoon.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June 24!!!!
Today, everybody pretty much work on their robot, researching and taking notes on their ideas and discoveries.
Yesterday, Reza was unsecured about the possibility of coming up with a Predator and preys activity that would work with out any flaws. His main issue was how to make the preys recognize each other from the Predator with only one ultrasonic place in the front or back. however, today during the group sharing session(every one talked about the ideas they have so far), we gave our inputs and ideas on how he should go with it. One of them was to place the ultrasonic on a moving support that could rotate it in circle. Reza is currently working on that prospective.
Brad has great ideas on the Line follower/ Racing Robots, he came up with an activity for each day. He also implemented the race with different ideas that will make it more fun and challenging. He will continued to work on the proposal and probably focus on the programming and building.
Erika has the idea of combining the can collector with the trash collector/ dump and collect. She is making progress on her research and writing her proposal. She has no current difficulties. She found simple codes in the NXT book that will definitely be useful.
Krista came up with a few board game and therefore is still indecisive on her final choice. One of the game is a race to your current home. It uses a color dealer that tells you on which color you should head on. the main other is to make a race and have a winner. It is a little like monopoly but with colors and no purchasing. She made some sample of all the ideas she has and continued to make research.
Fara is following the same idea of the color sorter found on Google but she implemented by making each containers a color. She also makes the robot moves instead of staying steady. The main idea is for the robot to move toward each containers and find the match with the colored brick. Once it is matched, the robot will placed the brick to its box.
Yesterday, Reza was unsecured about the possibility of coming up with a Predator and preys activity that would work with out any flaws. His main issue was how to make the preys recognize each other from the Predator with only one ultrasonic place in the front or back. however, today during the group sharing session(every one talked about the ideas they have so far), we gave our inputs and ideas on how he should go with it. One of them was to place the ultrasonic on a moving support that could rotate it in circle. Reza is currently working on that prospective.
Brad has great ideas on the Line follower/ Racing Robots, he came up with an activity for each day. He also implemented the race with different ideas that will make it more fun and challenging. He will continued to work on the proposal and probably focus on the programming and building.
Erika has the idea of combining the can collector with the trash collector/ dump and collect. She is making progress on her research and writing her proposal. She has no current difficulties. She found simple codes in the NXT book that will definitely be useful.
Krista came up with a few board game and therefore is still indecisive on her final choice. One of the game is a race to your current home. It uses a color dealer that tells you on which color you should head on. the main other is to make a race and have a winner. It is a little like monopoly but with colors and no purchasing. She made some sample of all the ideas she has and continued to make research.
Fara is following the same idea of the color sorter found on Google but she implemented by making each containers a color. She also makes the robot moves instead of staying steady. The main idea is for the robot to move toward each containers and find the match with the colored brick. Once it is matched, the robot will placed the brick to its box.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
New Challenge Proposals
Challenges
Multi-Bot
1. Predator Prey (Tag) (Reza, Krista)
2. Racing - Olympic events (Brad)
Puzzle / Games
3. Sort bricks by color (implemented) (Fara. Reza)
4. Vending (OPEN, Reza-1)
5. Board Game (TBD) (Krista, Brad)
Sensor / Movement
6. Segway (gyro) (OPEN)
7. Dancing Bot - Bot reacts to sound (OPEN, Brad-1)
8. Trash collector - dump and collect / Table bot (rover) (Erika, Fara)
9. Insect/Animal bots - apperance
10. Wall-e model
All Brainstorming Items to Date
predator prey
* color following
* avoidance
* detection
battle tanks
connect 4
line following
sorter
* change
* color blocks
rubrik's cube solver
light follower
table bot
SlugBot(find and retrieve slugs for fuel)
mobot
roomba
the turk(chess playing)
ballroom dancing bot
vending machine bot
r2d2
robot that reacts to sound depending on frequency played
nurse bot
rover bots
# Predator Prey(color following, avoidance, detection)
# Battle Tanks
# Connect 4 Player
# Line Following 4 ways
# Sorter(change Colored Blocks)
Obstacle course
Color sensor
Light
US
Whisker bots
cars (sensors to avoid each other)
printer bots
firefighter bot
racing bots
UNO bot(cards)
Insect/Animal bots
beetle
cat
t-rex
spider
Trash collector
SumoBot x3
hand robot
Wall-e
Balancing Bot
- With gyroscope sensor + platform for a cup of water, it would keep the platform level while going up ramps to keep the water from spilling
Racing with bots that do not have wheels (biped, quadruped etc)
Stair climber
Drag Race - No wheels allowed
Stair climber
* color following
* avoidance
* detection
battle tanks
connect 4
line following
sorter
* change
* color blocks
rubrik's cube solver
light follower
table bot
SlugBot(find and retrieve slugs for fuel)
mobot
roomba
the turk(chess playing)
ballroom dancing bot
vending machine bot
r2d2
robot that reacts to sound depending on frequency played
nurse bot
rover bots
# Predator Prey(color following, avoidance, detection)
# Battle Tanks
# Connect 4 Player
# Line Following 4 ways
# Sorter(change Colored Blocks)
Obstacle course
Color sensor
Light
US
Whisker bots
cars (sensors to avoid each other)
printer bots
firefighter bot
racing bots
UNO bot(cards)
Insect/Animal bots
beetle
cat
t-rex
spider
Trash collector
SumoBot x3
hand robot
Wall-e
Balancing Bot
- With gyroscope sensor + platform for a cup of water, it would keep the platform level while going up ramps to keep the water from spilling
Racing with bots that do not have wheels (biped, quadruped etc)
Stair climber
Drag Race - No wheels allowed
Stair climber
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22, 2009- It's sunny!
The majority of today was used to complete the last of the tasks from Sprint 1.
Reza:
The Forklift Challenge is ready for review; the documents have been peer reviewed, the tutorials are finished and the model is in the designer (although there is a bug with the designing software, like the catapult).
Fara + Brad:
All sensors are inventoried and tested; a write up for each type of sensor has been completed and peer reviewed. These sensors include: Light, Ultrasonic, Color, Infrared and Compass.
Chris and Krista:
The Catapult Challenge has already gone through a formal review and is totally complete.
A little bit of everyone:
The initial activity, Project Zero, has been peer reviewed. The tutorials have been tested and revised as needed and the bots that are to be used for this exercise are complete in the designer. The only thing left to do with this activity is to finish the "Challenge" activity at the end of the document; Brad started working with the color sensor today, he downloaded sound files that will eventually read colors for the students and started on the code. Once the code is smoothed out, the activity will be written up and ready for formal review.
Grabber:
We tested out the grabber robot for a bit today, both in the carpeted lab and in the smooth floors of the Innovation Center. We've come to the conclusion that there is a small flaw in the design of the grabber: the US sensor tends to pick up a reading when there is nothing in front of it. We believe that this is because the US sensor is so low to the ground, moving the sensor to the side of the bot and raising it a few centimeters off the ground level will hopefully fix this problem. If the change in model is made however, the code and tutorials will have to be revised; tomorrow morning we should discuss how much time must be devoted to making the grabber function smoothly and if we have enough time to do it.
Reza:
The Forklift Challenge is ready for review; the documents have been peer reviewed, the tutorials are finished and the model is in the designer (although there is a bug with the designing software, like the catapult).
Fara + Brad:
All sensors are inventoried and tested; a write up for each type of sensor has been completed and peer reviewed. These sensors include: Light, Ultrasonic, Color, Infrared and Compass.
Chris and Krista:
The Catapult Challenge has already gone through a formal review and is totally complete.
A little bit of everyone:
The initial activity, Project Zero, has been peer reviewed. The tutorials have been tested and revised as needed and the bots that are to be used for this exercise are complete in the designer. The only thing left to do with this activity is to finish the "Challenge" activity at the end of the document; Brad started working with the color sensor today, he downloaded sound files that will eventually read colors for the students and started on the code. Once the code is smoothed out, the activity will be written up and ready for formal review.
Grabber:
We tested out the grabber robot for a bit today, both in the carpeted lab and in the smooth floors of the Innovation Center. We've come to the conclusion that there is a small flaw in the design of the grabber: the US sensor tends to pick up a reading when there is nothing in front of it. We believe that this is because the US sensor is so low to the ground, moving the sensor to the side of the bot and raising it a few centimeters off the ground level will hopefully fix this problem. If the change in model is made however, the code and tutorials will have to be revised; tomorrow morning we should discuss how much time must be devoted to making the grabber function smoothly and if we have enough time to do it.
Friday, June 19, 2009
June 19
Today, Fara read over Reza's Forklift writeup and made a few changes to that. Krista continued to work on activity 0 and finished up a lot of that, while Reza proofread and made finalizations to the forklift write-up. Chris was sick and was unable to make it in today. We will discuss future project ideas this coming week and hopefully finish up the grabber robot by next monday.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, June 19: An Overview
On this gloomy, rainy Thursday, Reza finished up the activity and tutorials for the Forklift challenge making the whole exercise complete. Tomorrow morning he's planning on reading through again and fine tuning a few things before the activity goes up for peer review.
Chris and Krista have worked their ideas together for the Activity Zero document; Chris worked on developing the short tutorial exercises and the code needed for them while Krista built the bot in the Lego designer (one file for each of the sensors that can be atatched). The model of the TriBot was also built in the designer at this time (TriBot is modeled with the touch sensor in frnt while TriBot_V2 has the touch sensor in back with a light sensor in the front).
Brad and Fara finished up the experimenting and write-up for the compas sensor. Working with the sensor in the marble-floored Inovation Center actually worked out much better than here in the lab with icky carpets. The documents for this sensor will be peer reviewed tomorrow morning.
Up for grabs tomorrow:
Chris and Krista have worked their ideas together for the Activity Zero document; Chris worked on developing the short tutorial exercises and the code needed for them while Krista built the bot in the Lego designer (one file for each of the sensors that can be atatched). The model of the TriBot was also built in the designer at this time (TriBot is modeled with the touch sensor in frnt while TriBot_V2 has the touch sensor in back with a light sensor in the front).
Brad and Fara finished up the experimenting and write-up for the compas sensor. Working with the sensor in the marble-floored Inovation Center actually worked out much better than here in the lab with icky carpets. The documents for this sensor will be peer reviewed tomorrow morning.
Up for grabs tomorrow:
- Looking over the Grabber challenge and determining what needs to be changed
- Working on/Finishing Activity Zero
- Peer reviewing Sensor documents and the Forklift challenge
something i found while browsing the other day
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zhenwei-you-b-touchphone
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
june 17
The Overview of everybody's day.
Krista went over the Robot made by Chris yesterday. Since, the design of the robot was not quite working in the Lego designer and due to the fact she could not make any changes to it, she made a new robot. Afterwards, she went ahead and did the design. She worked on the activities for the motors and created a list of definition of different technical terms.
Reza continued with the write-up of his project. He finished the student activities section and the tutorial code. He said he is left only to edit the write up for the teacher activities and minor other activities.
Brad and Faradjine continued working on the programming for the Line Following Test with a Compass Sensor. While we were successful with the north direction, we decided to generalize the code for any other other target meaning south, west, east. After different testing and still not quite a right answer, Faradjine went ahead and did the design for the model while Brad continued on the code. Afterwards, Faradjine started a draft of the Formal write-up for the sensor.
Chris is sick and therefore could not come to work today.
Krista went over the Robot made by Chris yesterday. Since, the design of the robot was not quite working in the Lego designer and due to the fact she could not make any changes to it, she made a new robot. Afterwards, she went ahead and did the design. She worked on the activities for the motors and created a list of definition of different technical terms.
Reza continued with the write-up of his project. He finished the student activities section and the tutorial code. He said he is left only to edit the write up for the teacher activities and minor other activities.
Brad and Faradjine continued working on the programming for the Line Following Test with a Compass Sensor. While we were successful with the north direction, we decided to generalize the code for any other other target meaning south, west, east. After different testing and still not quite a right answer, Faradjine went ahead and did the design for the model while Brad continued on the code. Afterwards, Faradjine started a draft of the Formal write-up for the sensor.
Chris is sick and therefore could not come to work today.
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