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4. Today I will teach you about the types of parts I am made of and how I sense this Martian world around me! next Quiz Practice back START! Go to next slide Go to practice application Go to the quiz Go to the home screen Start mission Go to previous slide next

5. Click the links below to learn about my parts and robotic sensors! Parts Sensors Home Quiz

6. If you take me apart, this is what I’m made of! Click each link below to learn about the part in the picture. After you are done, practice your knowledge, take a quiz, or go back to the home page to learn more about robotic sensors. To go back to this menu in the future, click the button. Parts Controller Arm DriveEnd EffectorSensor Quiz Parts Practice

7. This is my controller. It acts as my brain. It is just a small computer which controls my actions. Quiz Parts Unlike people and animals, the rover’s brains are in its body. The rover’s computer (its "brains") is inside a module called "The Rover Compute Element" (RCE) inside the rover’s body. The communication interface that enables the main computer to exchange data with the rover's instruments and sensors is called a "bus". This bus is an industry standard interface bus to communicate with and control all of the rover’s motors, science instruments, and communication functions. Parts Practice

8. This is my arm. It positions the end effector and the sensors that I will need to explore Mars! Quiz Parts The arm holds and maneuvers the instruments that help scientists get up- close and personal with Martian rocks and soil. Much like a human arm, the robotic arm has flexibility through three joints: the rover's shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The arm enables a tool belt of scientists' instruments to extend, bend, and angle precisely against a rock to work as a human geologist would: grinding away layers, taking microscopic images, and analyzing the elemental composition of the rocks and soil. At the end of the arm is a turret, shaped like a cross. This turret, a hand-like structure, holds various tools that can spin through a 350- degree turning range. The arm holds and maneuvers the instruments that help scientists get up- close and personal with Martian rocks and soil. Much like a human arm, the robotic arm has flexibility through three joints: the rover's shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The arm enables a tool belt of scientists' instruments to extend, bend, and angle precisely against a rock to work as a human geologist would: grinding away layers, taking microscopic images, and analyzing the elemental composition of the rocks and soil. At the end of the arm is a turret, shaped like a cross. This turret, a hand-like structure, holds various tools that can spin through a 350- degree turning range. Parts Practice

9. Parts My drive is the engine that drives all my links and joints into their desired positions. The rover requires power to operate. Curiosity has a "tail" that gives it power to operate. Without power, it cannot move, use its science tools, or talk with Earth. Curiosity's electrical power is provided by a radioisotope power source that converts heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium into electricity. This type of plutonium is different from the material used in weapons and cannot explode like a bomb. It is manufactured in ceramic form, and passively generates heat. This power source charges two rechargeable batteries, producing enough electricity to for all of the rover's activities. The heat also keeps the rover's systems warm during the frigid nights on Mars. Curiosity's power source is designed to last about 14 years. Quiz Parts Practice

10. Parts Quiz Parts My end effector is basically like a hand and is used to grip, scrape, vacuum, and pump things up from my surroundings on Mars. At the tip of the arm is the turret structure on which 5 devices are mounted. Two of these devices are in-situ or contact instruments known as the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). The remaining three devices are associated with sample acquisition and sample preparation functions. Practice

11. Quiz Parts This is just 1 of my sensors. This sensor is a camera that can see my surroundings and act like my eye. Learn about other robotic sensors next! The rover has many “eyes”, or cameras sensors, which are used for navigation and investigation. Each camera has an application-specific set of optics: Hazard Avoidance Cameras, Navigation Cameras, Mast Cameras, Laser Sensor Camera, Descent Imager, and Hand Lens Imager. The Hazard Avoidance cameras take black-and-white 3D images in order to avoid crashing into unexpected obstacles. The Navigation Cameras use visible light to gather panoramic, 3D images which support group navigation. The Mast Camera takes color images, 3D stereo images, and color video footage. The Laser Sensor camera will fire a laser and analyze the elemental composition of vaporized materials of the Martial soil. The Hand Imager provides close-up views of minerals on the Martian surface. The Descent Imager was used to create a video of the Curiosity Rover’s landing. Parts Practice

12. Did you click this picture? Click on the arm. next Quiz Parts

13. Did you click this picture? Click on the sensor. next Quiz Parts

14. Did you click this picture? Click on the drive. next Quiz Parts

15. Did you click this picture? Click on the end effector. next Quiz Parts next

16. Did you click this picture? Click on the controller. next Quiz Parts next

18. Sensors Learn about the different sensors that help robots like me “sense” the worlds around them! Click each link to learn about that specific sensor. After you are done, you can take a quiz to test your knowledge of the material presented in this training or click the button to get back to this page to learn about other sensors. If you want to apply your knowledge, click practice. Quiz Light Sensor Radar SonarCompassPressure Sensor Sensors Practice

19. Quiz Sensors Practice Sensors The light sensor detects light from the sun and other sources. Examples: Used for mine exploration or basic navigation

20. Quiz Sensors Practice The radar detects and senses radio waves! Examples: Deployed for threat detection and collision avoidance Sensors

21. Quiz Sensors Practice Sonar sensors detect reflected acoustic and sound waves! Examples: Deployed for threat detection and collision avoidance Sensors

22. Quiz Sensors Practice A compass localizes a robot based on magnetic poles! Examples: Used for navigation and area mapping Sensors

23. Quiz Sensors Practice A pressure sensor detects contact with other, physical objects Examples: Stops impact with other objects for safety purposes; used for picking up sensitive objects Sensors

24. Practice Quiz Click the speaker for instructions!

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26. START! For this quiz you will be given a picture of a robot and you will be asked to decide which part of the robot the picture is pointing to. The questions will be in the multiple choice format. You will not be timed on this assessment. Quiz

27. Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor This part is basically like a hand and is used to grip, scrape, vacuum, and pump things up from surroundings. Quiz

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30. Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor This part of the robot is usually a computer and helps all of the components of the robot to work together. Quiz

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33. Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor This part is also known as the engine. This engine allows all the links and joints to be placed in their desired positions. Quiz

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36. Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor This part positions the end effector and the sensors that the robot will require. This helps the robot position itself in an environment. Quiz

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39. Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor Which part of the robot is this? (a)ControllerController (b) ArmArm (c) DriveDrive (d) End EffectorEnd Effector (e) SensorSensor This part is often a camera and is used to help guide the robot’s navigation and investigation. Quiz

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43. START! For this part of the quiz you will be given a video of a robot using a specific type of sensor. You will be asked to watch the video and then write a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) describing what the robot is doing and the specific sensor it is using. Quiz

44. Send Finish Can you guess what sensor is used here? Quiz Watch Video Watch Video

45. On behalf of NASA, we would like to congratulate you on completing your mission. You have what it takes to become the next great robot engineer!