Project Overview Introduction & Product Analysis Drawing & communication Sensing abilities in robots Programming Robots Mechanisms and Systems Designing new products & Packaging Presentation and Rendering Biomimicry Concept Modelling Concept presentations

LESSON 03

LEARNING ABOUT SENSORS LESSON 3 STARTER Learning objective: Learn about sensors and the sensing ability of robots. Develop new ideas for robots using different sensors. LEARNING ABOUT SENSORS What is a sensor? A sensor (also known as a detector) is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts that measurement into a signal that can be read electronically. Robots use sensors for a number of reasons. Sometimes robots need to acknowledge the presence of something (a product) before they can carry out a job. So a robot packaging boxes with chocolate bars needs to first know that the box is ready in front of it. A sensor replaces the human ability to use our fives common senses. What are they? New words: sensor

Sensing Abilities of robots Hexbug Sensing abilities Task: You are going to employ a range of “tests” to decipher and prove that a Hexbug can sense. Cup your hands over the Hexbug Clap your hands loudly over the Hexbug Touch the antenna on the Hexbug head Put obstacles in the way of the Hexbug Does it stop moving? Yes = It senses light. Does it change direction? Yes = It senses sound. Does it change direction? Yes = It senses touch. Does it avoid them? Yes = It senses infra red light.

Sensing Abilities of robots Hexbug Sensing abilities Results. Which Hexbug was able to sense what? The crab sensed… How can you prove it? Where is the sensor? The original sensed… How can you prove it? Where is the sensor? The larva sensed… How can you prove it? Where is the sensor? The ant sensed… How can you prove it? Where is the sensor? The scarab sensed… How can you prove it? Where is the sensor?

Sensing Abilities of robots Hexbug ideas Ideas Task: Consider what senses have not been achieved in a Hexbug so far and come up with ideas for a new Hexbug with new sensing abilities. Smell & Taste What insect or creature could the Hexbug be? What would it do? Why would it sense this (what would be it’s purpose?)

LESSON 3 PLENARY As a class, let us consider the following questions? A. Why do robots sense things? B. What senses can be applied and in which situations? C. How could a robot be blinded? D. What animals in nature have similar sensing abilities?

Summary Today you have: Learnt about sensors and robotics Learning objective: Learn about sensors and the sensing ability of robots. Develop new ideas for robots using different sensors. Today you have: Learnt about sensors and robotics Developed methods of testing the ability of robot sensors Developed ideas for new robots using sensors