2. 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

3. INTRODUCTION
In this project you are going to learn design and technology related skills and knowledge relating to a range of cutting edge technology toy robots. They are called HEXBUGS. You might have seen them in toy shops, but behind the fun exterior, there is fantastic design and engineering. Definition of a HEXBUG:
A micro robotic creature that reacts to its environment or that you control.
An innovative battery powered, high-tech toy.
Fun for all ages
At each stage of this project, you will learn about the jobs people are doing to deliver this product to you the customer. These include concept designers, electrical engineers, robotics specialists and graphic artists, so you might just hear about a career you would
like to do when you are older!

4. LESSON 01

5. WHAT IS PRODUCT ANALYSIS?
LESSON 1 STARTER
Learning objective: Learn how to analyse an existing product to understand how it has been made, how it works, and what features it has. Explore HEXBUG creatures and develop an understanding of their characteristics.
WHAT IS PRODUCT ANALYSIS?
The term product analysis means; studying how well a product does its job. It is carried about by asking questions of the product, whilst handling the product.
What is the function of the product?
Which processes were used to make the product?
What are the different parts of the product and how do they work together?
Who is the consumer of this product?
How well does the product do its job?
How has the product been shaped, coloured, textured and decorated?
What is unique about the product?
What materials and components are used to make the product?
In what environment might the product be used?
New words: function, materials, components, processes, consumer, environment.

6. Project Introduction The HEXBUG Nano
Early concept sketch
First, let’s analyse a HEXBUG together as a class. How small can you go? Using “common locomotion principles” (explained on the next slide) engineers set out to make a really small HEXBUG that gave the appearance of being smart. The first prototypes of the Nano was inspired by an old vibrating football game toy. Designers and model makers went through considerable development with the Nano, engineering and rapid prototyping over 150 variations of legs alone.
Quick prototypes
Rapid prototyped interations
New job: Engineer, designers and model makers.
New word: rapid prototype, prototype.

7. The Hexbug Nano – how it works
Project Introduction
The Hexbug Nano – how it works
The Nano in parts
Common locomotion principle: The motor inside the Nano rotates a counterweight that causes forces up and down. The down force causes the legs to bend and the Nano moves forward. The up force causes the creature to hop lifting the front legs off the ground and allowing the legs to unbend. This up and down movement repeats several hundred times per second causing the Nano to move forward. The Nano creature's ability to flip over by itself is due to the rotating forces caused by the motor and the unique internal and external chassis design.
Questions to answer… How will it react when it encounters an obstacle? What happens if it gets turned over?
The Nano V1
New words: counterweight, chassis.

8. The Hexbug Nano – Product Analysis
Project Introduction
The Hexbug Nano – Product Analysis
What is the function of the product?
What are the different parts of the product and how do they work together?
How has the product been shaped, coloured, textured and decorated?
What materials and components are used to make the product?
Which processes were used to make the product?
Who is the consumer of this product?
How well does the product do its job?
What is unique about the product?
In what environment might the product be used?
The Nano mimicks a smart insect and scurries around it surroundings.
It has motor and counter weight to create up and down forces to move it.
It is shaped like a small beetle, with bright colours and a pattern on top.
It looks to be made from different types of plastic and rubber.
Unsure. But the result is very high quality, smooth and accurate.
Children who like insects and robot toys.
In trying to imitate a smart insect it does very well as it moves in a similar way.
The way it moves and reacts makes it unique. It also looks unique to other toys.
Children might play with this in their bedroom or around the house inside.

9. Click above to launch the video of what one student discovered…
Project Introduction
The Hexbug Nano – Product Analysis
Why handle the product, why not just look at photos? Consider the following evidence and then articulate your answer to your teacher…
Click above to launch the video of what one student discovered…
Above a student launches the Nano for the first time…

10. Task: Carry out a product analysis
Project Introduction
Task: Carry out a product analysis
Using your worksheet, select each Hexbug in turn and carry out a detailed analysis. To do this well you will need to: - tick which Hexbug you have selected on your sheet - answered each question relating to the Hexbug in full sentences
For example: How has the product been shaped, coloured, textured and decorated?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The crab is coloured light blue with black ends to the feet, grey moving parts, and a transparent body. It is shaped like a crab by being low to the ground. It has a smooth texture on its surface and there is no decoration.
New words: transparent.

11. Task: Carry out a product analysis
Project Introduction
Task: Carry out a product analysis
Here are the questions you need to answer for each Hexbug you analyse. 1. What is the function of the product?
2. What are the different parts of the product and how do they work together?
3. How has the product been shaped, coloured, textured and decorated?
4. What materials and components are used to make the product?
5. Which processes were used to make the product?
6. Who is the consumer of this product?
7. How well does the product do its job?
8. What is unique about the product?
9. In what environment might the product be used?

12. LESSON 1 PLENARY
As a class, let us consider the following questions? A. What makes robot toys move? B. What makes them act or react like a real insect? C. From our analysis, what question was hardest to answer without knowing more? D. What jobs are involved in the creation of a Hexbug that we know so far?

13. Summary Today you have:
Learning objective: Learn how to analyse an existing product to understand how it has been made, how it works, and what features it has. Explore Hexbug creatures and develop an understanding of their characteristics.
Today you have:
Learnt how to analyse an existing product by looking at a range of Hexbug creatures.
Analysed their features, characteristics and the qualities that make each different.
Explored a new product with highly-technological features