Your EdVenture into Robotics You’re a Controller Barcode - Clap controlled driving meetedison.
Contents Introduction ............................................................................................ 3 Getting started ........................................................................................ 4 EdVenture 1 – Clap controlled driving .................................................... 6 EdVenture 2 – Avoid obstacles .............................................................. 7 EdVenture 3 – Follow torch ....................................................................
Introduction Edison is your new robot buddy who will teach you about electronics, programing and robotics in a fun and engaging way. He’s equipped with all the sensors, outputs and motors needed to introduce you to the amazing world of robotics. That’s great, but what is robotics? Well that’s not an easy question to answer. Edison’s creator, Brenton O’Brien says “a robot is a machine that can behave autonomously” . This means that a robot can think or make decisions on its own and act on those decisions.
Getting started Let’s get Edison ready to go! Open the battery compartment and remove the programming cable. Now insert 4 ‘AAA’ batteries. Refer to the image to ensure that the batteries are the correct way around and clip the battery cover on. If you haven’t already done so, stretch the tyres over the wheels. Ensure the batteries are the right way Turn Edison on by sliding the power switch to the on position. Edison’s red LED lights will now start flashing.
Get to know Edison To use Edison you’re going to need to know where all his sensors are and what his three buttons do. Have a look at the images below. You may need to come back and have another look as we go through the EdVentures.
EdVenture 1 – Clap controlled driving Edison is equipped with a sound sensor and can detect loud sounds like clapping. This barcode activates Edison’s ‘Clap controlled driving’ program. The program listens for a loud sound like a clap and Edison responds by turning to his right. If you clap twice he drives forward and stops. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3.
EdVenture 2 – Avoid obstacles Edison can see in the ‘dark’ using invisible light to detect obstacles and avoid collisions. This barcode activates Edison’s ‘Avoid obstacles’ program. The program drives Edison forward, when an obstacle is detected he reverses and then turns on the spot away from the obstacle, then continues to drive. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3.
EdVenture 3 – Follow torch Edison loves light! He will drive towards the brightest light source even if it means falling off the table. Such is love! This barcode activates Edison’s light following program. The program uses Edison’s light sensors and motors to follow a torch (American English: flashlight). Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3.
EdVenture 4 – Line tracking Meet the holy grail of enthusiast robotics; line tracking. Line tracking is a very popular robotics activity as it’s fun to watch the robot go around and around a track. See how many people ask you “Is that line magnetic?” This barcode activates Edison’s line tracking program. The program uses Edison’s line tracking sensor and motors to follow the edge of a black line. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2.
EdVenture 5 – Bounce in borders Ever heard of Dromophobia? Well, it’s a fear of crossing the street and we’re going to give a version of it to Edison! Cue evil laugh…Muwhahaha!!! This barcode activates Edison’s bounce in borders program. The program uses Edison’s line tracking sensor and motors to stop him from crossing a black line. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3.
EdVenture 6 – Sumo wrestle Bring on the robot wars! This barcode activates Edison’s Sumo wrestle program. The program brings together bounce in borders to stay with in the ring and obstacle detection to hunt and find the opponent. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3.
EdVenture 7 – Remote control driving So you really want to control your Edison!? Here’s your chance and you can do it with your TV remote control. These barcodes allow Edison to learn the commands from your TV or DVD remote control. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3. Edison will drive forward and scan the barcode 4.
Barcode – IR learn turn right Barcode – IR learn turn left Barcode – IR learn play beep Barcode – IR learn play tune What to do Teach Edison each barcode one by one. Use buttons on your remote control that align with the action Edison will perform, such as use the up arrow (volume up) for drive forward etc. You can make changes whenever you want so play around with which buttons suit you the best. Now go driving! Edison is compatible with around 75% of TV and DVD remote controls.
Calibrate obstacle detection You can control the sensitivity of Edison’s obstacle detection system. By making it more sensitive he can detect obstacles further away, and by making it less sensitive he will only detect very close obstacles. Reading the barcode 1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side 2. Press the record (round) button 3 times 3.
What’s next? Now that you’ve learned all about Edison’s abilities, sensors and controls you can move on to programming him. Go to www.meetedison.com and look for EdBook 2 ‘Your EdVenture into Robotics – You’re a programmer’. In this EdBook you’ll learn how to write your own programs to get Edison to do exactly what you want! The programs are written using free software called EdWare. You build programs using drag and drop icons. Here’s what a simple line tracking program looks like.
