At a Glance OWNER’S MANUAL RECON 6.0 Programmable Rover Owner’s Manual ©2010 becker&mayer! LLC Published by SmartLab®, an imprint of becker&mayer! All rights reserved. SmartLab® is a registered trademark of becker&mayer!, 11120 NE 33rd Place, Suite 101, Bellevue, Washington. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior permission of SmartLab®.
YOUR MANUAL AT A GLANCE 04-05 RECON 6.0 SPECS 06-27 BASIC TRAINING 28-39 ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS 40-43 SPECIAL OPS 44-48 FEATURES & FUNCTIONS GLOSSARY Get acquainted with the features of your RECON 6.0 Programmable Rover before moving on to Basic Training. These missions will teach you everything you need to know to control your RECON 6.0.
6.0 RECON Specs CONGRATULATIONS! You’re the new owner of a RECON 6.0 Programmable Rover, developed by the robot experts at SmartLab. In your capable hands they place this complex and sophisticated robot, which can be programmed to perform all kinds of fun and interesting tasks—from navigating obstacle courses to delivering a bone to the family dog to telling a knock-knock joke. RECON 6.
Your book has mission maps like this one to help you plot each course. MAP SCALE t Big square: 1 inch = 1 foo Small square: 1/4 inch = 3 inches re Your Rover comes with a tape measu to help you with your missions. The code area is where you’ll write your programming code in shorthand. POWER UP! RECON 6.0 needs a power source before the fun can begin, so be sure to install three C batteries, as shown. Once your Rover is juiced up, turn it on, using the hard switch on its bottom.
DIAGNOSTICS and Calibration Test BASIC TRAINING A B QUALITY CONTROL The scientists at SmartLab want to make sure your RECON 6.0 is functioning properly. To help them out, run this QA test (that’s short for quality assurance in programmer-speak). RECON 6.0 was built with fun and function in mind, but remember it is a toy. It should properly perform this book’s missions— and ones you think up yourself—but may not always be exact.
D Using the arrows on the directional pad, scroll to DRIVE REVERSE and press ENTER. Your Rover should drive in reverse 3 feet and stop. E Scroll to RIGHT TURN . Press ENTER. You should see a flashing number. Write this number here: ____ 360° CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE G Press ENTER and watch your Rover turn in a circle. • If the rotation is a full 360°, go to step H. • If the rotation is short of 360°, scroll up to the next number using the UP ARROW. Realign your Rover. Press ENTER.
MISSION 01 Basic Field Maneuvering BASIC TRAINING MISSION OBJECTIVE Get to know your new RECON 6.0 with this seemingly simple field maneuver. You’ll program it to run a triangular course, landing safely back at field command HQ.
2 feet 90 0 2 feet 45 b = 2 feet a = 2 feet 0 X 34 inches 45 90 se er v re 45 0 c= 34 0 0 s he 45 0 Save c in 2 22 + 22 = c 2 4+ 4=c 8 = c2 8 =c 2.82 = c 2.8 feet x 12 = 33.94 inches 2 Does a2 + b2 = c sound familiar? It’s the Pythagorean theorem, a 2,500-year-old formula to help you calculate the length of a right triangle’s sides.
MISSION 01 Basic Field Maneuvering BASIC TRAINING LET’S GO! Basic Training Missions 01–04 come with step-by-step programming instructions to familiarize you with all of RECON 6.0’s functions. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to create your own missions and your own code in the Advanced Operations section of this manual. CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE In RECON 6.0’s programming language, to choose a command, the icon must be flashing. This is shown in red throughout the directions.
STEP 2: WRITE YOUR PROGRAM LINES A Your screen will now look like this. The numbers 01, 02, and 03 represent your first three lines of code. All the command icons appear on line 01. Choose the flashing 01 by pressing ENTER. CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE The RECON 6.0’s screen displays 3 program lines at a time. As you enter more commands, the display will automatically scroll down to 04, 05, etc., until you reach the memory limit of 50 program lines. B The first command, DRIVE FORWARD flashing. Press ENTER.
MISSION 01 Basic Field Maneuvering BASIC TRAINING G F The number 45 will be flashing, and the word DEGREES will be lit. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW buttons to toggle between 45 and 90. Choose 90 and hit ENTER. CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE Your Rover can make a 45º or 90º turn. To figure out how sharp a turn you’ll want it to make, you’ll need to know what a 45º and a 90º angle look like. 45º is half of 90º. 45° 90° For Program Line 03, hit ENTER. DRIVE FORWARD will be flashing (ENTER).
STEP 3: SAVE AND RUN! A CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE If you don’t press the SAVE button after you finish programming, you’ll lose your code, and your Rover won’t be able to run its course. So always SAVE your work! Program Line 07 will be flashing, but you won’t need it. You’ve entered all the code you’ll need for this mission. While the Program Line Number is flashing, press SAVE. The screen will now look like this. CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE If you need to make a change, scroll to EDIT and press ENTER.
MISSION 02 Messaging Protocol BASIC TRAINING MISSION OBJECTIVE Test your RECON 6.0’s messaging function by programming it to introduce itself on command. Here’s where you get to use the name you thought up earlier.
2 feet #1 #1, #2, #2 reverse o 2 feet #2 #2 2 feet Save 2 feet X Hello. My name is Otto! Good morning.
MISSION 02 Messaging Protocol BASIC TRAINING STEPYOUR1:SOUND FILE LET’S SELECT GO! CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE At any time, you can use the LEFT ARROW button on the directional pad to scroll backward when you’ve made a mistake or gone ahead too far. A Press EXIT to return to the Start Screen. B Toggle to PROGRAM (ENTER). C For this mission, program your sound first. Scroll to SOUND# (ENTER) and then 1 (ENTER).
STEP 3: CLEAR YOUR SAFE ZONE AND SELECT YOUR TRIP A Create a 3' x 3' square safe zone. B Scroll to PROGRAM (ENTER). C Your Rover’s starting position will be at bottom center of the zone. When TRIP# is flashing, press ENTER. This is TRIP #2, so scroll up to 2 (ENTER). STEP 4: WRITE YOUR PROGRAM LINES A B Choose the flashing 01 (ENTER). The first command, DRIVE FORWARD flashing (ENTER). , is As shown on the Mission 02 map, your RECON 6.
MISSION 02 Messaging Protocol BASIC TRAINING C D For Program Line 02, hit ENTER, then scroll over to PLAY SOUND (ENTER). . 01 will flash next to PLAY SOUND This stands for the sound file number you want your Rover to play. Since you saved the file as SOUND #1 earlier, choose 01 (ENTER). E F G For Program Line 03, hit ENTER, then scroll over to RECORD SOUND (ENTER). . 01 will flash next to RECORD SOUND Since you already recorded your Rover’s introduction as SOUND #1, scroll to 02 (ENTER).
STEP 5: READY TO RUN! The screen will now display the first 3 lines of the program code, as shown here. Place RECON 6.0 in the starting position and choose RUN (ENTER). Remember, you have 3 seconds before your Rover begins its mission. DEBRIEFING Did it work? Did it introduce itself and then record and play back what you said? If so, then congratulations, you’ve passed Messaging Protocol! If not: Double-check your code and your measurements. Double-check that you recorded your greeting as SOUND #1.
MISSION 03 Night Surveillance BASIC TRAINING MISSION OBJECTIVE Send your RECON 6.0 on a surveillance mission under the cloak of darkness. In this covert assignment, you’ll program your Rover to search for intruders and then hightail it back to field command HQ unobserved.
4 feet ON o 2 secs 900 2 secs 90 0 2 secs 90 2 secs 90 2 secs 0 0 4 feet 2 secs 90 0 2 secs 90 0 2 secs 90 0 2 secs 90 0 2 secs Save X 21
MISSION 03 Night Surveillance BASIC TRAINING A B LET’S STEP 1: GO! CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE This mission has a whopping 12 program lines, but don’t worry, a bunch of them are the same.You still have to program all 12, but you’ll get to repeat the same code a number of times. Every software Create a 5' x 2' vertical rectangular safe zone. program in existence works this way— Your Rover’s starting position will be at the bottom with lines and lines of repeated code.
E For Program Lines 05–11 (the next 7 lines of code), enter the following: 05—PAUSE , 2 SECONDS. 06—RIGHT TURN 07—PAUSE , 2 SECONDS. 08—RIGHT TURN 09—PAUSE F , 90 DEGREES. , 2 SECONDS. 10—RIGHT TURN 11—PAUSE , 90 DEGREES. , 90 DEGREES. CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE To insert a line of code between 2 existing program lines, use the INSERT button. The new line will be entered as the same program line number that is flashing. All the lines after it will shift down and be renumbered.
MISSION 04 Security Patrol BASIC TRAINING MISSION OBJECTIVE Program your RECON 6.0 to run a safety patrol, securing your bedroom door and warning potential intruders or unwanted guests to keep out.
feet or inches Bedroom #2 feet or inches feet or inches #2 feet or inches Door reverse X Door width Patrol Distance C Save reverse Hallway + 12” = Patrol Distance - 2 = Center Point Number 25
MISSION 04 Security Patrol BASIC BASIC TRAINING TRAINING STEP 1: PREP STEPS—PATROL ZONE LET’S GO! CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE If you want to use one of your Rover’s preprogrammed sounds for this mission, simply LOAD to listen to any of the sound files from #5–#9. Note the number of your favorite sound effect. Your Rover will stop and sound its warning at the center point (at the middle of the door) before continuing to the other side.
STEP 3: WRITE YOUR PROGRAM LINES A Program this mission as TRIP #4 . 01— DRIVE FORWARD , center point FEET or INCHES. Use the center point number you calculated in Step 1. 02— PLAY SOUND 03— DRIVE FORWARD FEET or INCHES. B #2. 04— DRIVE REVERSE FEET or INCHES. 05— PLAY SOUND 06— DRIVE REVERSE FEET or INCHES. , center point For Program Line 07, scroll to LOOP (ENTER). 01 will flash on the screen. Scroll to the number of times you want your Rover to repeat this patrol (ENTER). , center point #2.
MISSION 05 Artificial Intelligence ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MISSION OBJECTIVE CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve advanced to Advanced Technical Operations! Be warned— you’re on your own now. Well, there are maps and codes to get you started, but no more step-by-steps. Program your RECON 6.0 to tell a knock-knock joke. Surprise unsuspecting participants and entertain friends and family, while simulating artificial intelligence (AI).
#2 2 secs #3 RECON: Knock Knock! Who’s there? (PAUSE ME: RECON: AUSE ME: (P 2 secs 2 #4 SECS) Save SECS) RECON:______________ THE QUEST FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Ever since mathematician Alan Turing first dreamed up a machine that could “think,” researchers have been working away on developing an electronic brain—one that not only can solve problems, but can reason, apply logic, and speak English.
MISSION 06 Alien Contact ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MISSION OBJECTIVE Program your RECON 6.0 to play a greeting while kindly delivering a treat to the family dog, cat, little brother or sister, gerbil, rabbit, or any creature that’ll be impressed by such an encounter. MISSION BACKGROUND What’s the point of having a robot if you can’t have a little fun at the expense of the sleeping dog or jittery cat? If you don’t have a Fido or Fifi, no problem. Any alien will do.
feet #1 90 0 90 0 #2 8 secs feet Save X BOOLEAN LOGIC Boolean (BOO-lee-un) logic makes it possible for your computer to play chess with you and to spell-check your homework, and for your RECON 6.0 to offer your dog a bone and navigate the obstacle course in your living room. This logical system of true-false statements lets programmers build software that works kind of like our brains, processing a large number of variables—but coming up with the correct answers at superfast speed.
MISSION 07 So You Think You Can Dance? ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MISSION OBJECTIVE RECON 6.0 isn’t just for covert ops and dangerous field assignments; it likes to have a good time too! In this lighthearted mission, you’ll teach (well, program) your Rover to perform a funky dance. MISSION BACKGROUND While RECON 6.0 can do a lot of tricky maneuvering, it can’t move side to side the way a human can.
STAGE #9 90 0 90 0 01 5 inches 90 0 90 0 01 90 0 07 Save THRILLING Tokyo’s International Robot Exhibition 2009 featured a first-of-its-kind robot dance-off. Break-dancing bots and kimono-clad cyberfan dancers hit the stage to strut their stuff. Gold was garnered by Ryuki II, grooving to a song called “Joyful” by a Japanese pop group. Silver was awarded to a robot named Black Tiger Neo, dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.
MISSION 08 Advanced Field Maneuvering ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 34 MISSION OBJECTIVE Back in Mission 01, you programmed your RECON 6.0 to perform a simple field maneuver. This time you’ll program a much more advanced—and exciting— one. To really put your Rover to the test, you’re going to add some obstacles to the terrain! MISSION BACKGROUND Obstacles! You can make towers using LEGO® bricks or blocks for your Rover to knock down or maneuver around.
feet feet 34 inches ch es feet 34 in inches feet inches X Save DOING THE DIRTY WORK Got dog hair and dust bunnies? It’s Roomba® to the rescue! In 2002 iRobot, a company started by some scientists from the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab, introduced the ultimate obstacle-course rover. The Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner uses hazard avoidance technology from defunct minesweeping robots. It can clean a room without knocking over that Ming vase or another priceless antique.
MISSION 09 Search and Rescue ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MISSION OBJECTIVE Send your RECON 6.0 on a search and rescue mission. Only it won’t be looking for missing mountain climbers or buried treasure. In this mission, your Rover will fetch a treat for you—the real reason mankind has been dreaming of robots for so long.
SEARCH AND RESCUE In 2010 California State University in Los Angeles hosted the Search and Rescue Robot Challenge, a competition that challenges students from around the world to take artificial intelligence and robotics technology to a whole new level, creating robots that can aid emergency workers, like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.
MISSION 10 Reconnaissance ADVANCED TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MISSION OBJECTIVE RECON 6.0 makes the perfect espionage agent. You can program it to gain access to an off-limits site (your sibling’s room!), record valuable information, and then return to field command HQ undetected, revealing its findings to you. MISSION BACKGROUND No matter if your course is simple or complicated, you’ll want to make your Rover as inconspicuous as possible. How? With a little advanced planning.
SPIDER ROVER Move over, James Bond; it’s Spider Rover! Scientists in the United States and Taiwan have developed wall-crawling reconnaissance rovers. These silicon spies can scale walls, sneak into buildings, and have audiovisual recording technology.
SPECIAL OPS EXCELLENT WORK! You’ve earned your wings, and now you’re an ace programmer! By successfully completing all of these missions, you are licensed to send your RECON 6.0 on the most difficult and dangerous missions you can dream up! Use the blank maps on the next few pages to get started. As any software developer knows, to design good code you need to follow 3 basic steps: design, program, and test. The same is true here.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONS GLOSSARY 44 COMMANDING CAPABILITIES The scientists at SmartLab have worked night and day to produce this state-of-the-art RECON 6.0 Programmable Rover. And they’ve tricked it out with some pretty cool features and capabilities: The Rover can hold 9 missions at a time in its memory bank with up to 50 commands each.
LCD BASICS This is the START SCREEN. It is the first step of any program. LOAD accesses a previously recorded trip so you can view, edit, or run it. It also accesses all 9 sound files, so you can listen to them. PROGRAM is where you can start a new trip or writeover a previously programmed trip from scratch. You can also access sound files #1–#4 to record your own custom sounds. TRIP# A trip is a program that tells your Rover what you want it to do. You can store up to nine different trips at a time.
LCD ICONS DRIVE FORWARD is used to program the Rover to move in a forward straight line. Distance can be programmed in units of feet or inches. LEFT TURN is used to program the Rover to turn left. Turns can be programmed at either 450 or 900. RIGHT TURN is used to program the Rover to turn right. Turns can be programmed at either 450 or 900. DRIVE REVERSE is used to program without re-entering the same program lines.
KEYPAD ON/OFF STOP Use the ON/OFF button on the keypad during play, but when you’re done having fun for the day, turn your Rover off using the hard switch on its bottom. The STOP button stops the Rover in its tracks. It can only be used when the Rover is running a trip. If the ON/OFF button is pressed before a new program has been saved, the program will not be saved. Any time the Rover is turned on, it will start at the Start Screen.