VEX IQ Mix & Match Curriculum

LESSON 02 Linear Movement

Your first program The purpose of this lesson is to introduce you to the basic linear movement using the ‘Time’ and ‘Rotation’ commands.

The motor encoder The VEX IQ Smart Motor Learning objective: Students will understand how a motor encoder can be used to control a robots movement. The VEX IQ Smart Motor The Smart Motor module converts electrical energy from the battery into rotational energy. Speed and direction are measured via a built-in quadrature encoder that uses a wheel with tiny slots and light sensors. PID loops are processed internally to precisely control output speed and rotation. The motor counts the number of slots the light passes through to determine how far it has rotated.

Programming Using ROBOTC Learning objective: Students will know how to construct and download a program to the VEX IQ robot

Programming using ROBOTC Getting the program out of the computer and onto the Basebot

Rotation Tests Task 1: ‘forward’ Command Using Rotations Learning objective: Students will understand the difference between using time and rotation to control motors using the ‘forward’ command. Students will be able to program the Basebot using the rotation and time commands. Task 1: ‘forward’ Command Using Rotations Complete the Task 1 experiment using the Rotation commands and power values Task 2: ‘forward’ Command Using Time Complete the Task 2 experiment using the Time commands and second values. What can you conclude from the results? What do you think increasing the power might do in Test 2?

Shuttle run Challenge The Challenge: On a flat surface set up a shuttle run course. Using either the rotation/ time or a mixture of both commands, write a short program to complete the course by returning to the start after reaching each coloured block before moving on to the next.

Shuttle run Challenge

Lesson - Plenary As a class, let us consider the following questions? A. What was the main difference between using Time and Rotation? B. Did the power settings affect the distance travelled? C. Was the distance travelled by the robot consistent for both commands? D. How might time and distance be affected by the battery charge?

Summary Today you have: Learning objective: Students will understand how a motor encoder can be used to control a robots movement, Students will know how to construct and download a program to the VEX IQ robot. Students will understand the difference between using time and rotation to control motors using the ‘forward’ command. Students will be able to program the Basebot using the rotation and time commands Today you have: Understood how a motor encoder can be used to control a robot Looked at the differences between using time and rotation to control motors Programmed the Basebot using the ‘forward’ command Completed the Shuttle Run course