Robot flower Phil Culverhouse CRNS University of Plymouth

Concept Fun Behaves For Girls & Boys Explores –Science –Maths –technology

School applications D&T: the robot flower can be designed & built by school pupils during laboratory sessions Electronics: design the circuits and sensors Computing: for control and behaviour). Mathematics: for assessing acceleration, inertia, Science: measure light energy input

A behaving robot make it dance, make it react to stimulii ie. make it behave –Shrink from touch –Be bold, be shy –Change behaviour through time Can learn to habituate stimulii

School uses Year 4-7: School buys kit with electronics, PIC and/or processor options and uses them to show robot interactions; Year 9: D&T classes design mechnical parts following classroom guidance notes. They could be made on a laser cutter or rapid prototyper and then assembled with electronics and operated; Electronics ‘A’level: students design electronics control system following classroom guidance notes; Year 9-11: Computing class design behaviours, either single flowers or groups. Can also explore remote control methods, following class guidance notes; Year 6: pupils design petals and fit to flower head. Perhaps changing servo motor speeds to alter reactions to stimulii and Year 8-10: Mathematics pupils have known masses of each mobile part, and calculate accelerations and energy inputs etc. Again a class guidance note will suggest options.

Final design