Programming instructions

Reference
Project Lead The Way © and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy © / For use with VEX
®
Robotics Systems
Glossary • 6
Glossary continued
Linear Regression: See Best-t Line. The linear function referred to in the phrase linear regression may also be a best-t
line, or trendline. Regression, in general, is the problem of estimating a conditional expected value.
Logic: A data type that the controller can understand. Logic data has only two possible values, which can be represented
in multiple ways. The value True is often also represented by a 1 or a checkmark, and False is also represented by a 0 or
an X.
Manipulated Variable: See Independent Variable.
Mapping: Making a map. In robotics, mapping usually refers to the ability of an autonomous robot to enter an area, and
navigate, sense and record information in such a way as to allow an accurate map of the area to be constructed.
Marketing: Refers to the process of advertising and selling a product or service. Marketing also refers to bringing the
product or service to the market, where it can be bought or sold.
Marketing Presentation: A marketing presentation is one concerned with marketing a product or service, usually to
potential buyers.
Miner, Continuous: In the mining industry, a large tracked machine that uses moving claws to tear coal loose from
its natural formation and pull it into a large scoop. The continuous miner then transfers the coal to other coal moving
machines.
Mining: The extraction of valuable minerals from the earth. The area where minerals are extracted is called a mine. There
are, for example, coal mines, iron mines, gold mines and uranium mines.
Mining, Longwall: Longwall mining is a form of underground coal mining where a long wall (about 250-400 m long
typically) of coal is mined in a single slice (typically 1-2 m thick). The longwall “panel” (the block of coal that is being mined)
is typically 3-4 km long and 250-400 m wide. The longwall equipment consists of a number of hydraulic jacks, called
chocks, roof supports or shields, which are placed in a long line up to 400 m in length in order to support the roof. An
individual chock can extend to a maximum cutting height of up to 5 m. The coal is cut by a rotating drum with bits called a
shearer that moves along the length of the face in front of the chocks, disintegrating the coal. Continuous miners are used
in longwall mining primarily to open the spaces needed for the longwall machine and chocks.
Monitor: See Receiver, Sender. To watch, or to receive information.
Moition Detector: A sensor that detects motion. It may be quite simple or very complex, and may use a wide variety of
sensors, separately or together.
Multitask: To do more than one thing at once. In the VEX programming software, multitasking is accomplished by creating
a program with more than one task.
Navigation: Directing a vehicle from one place to another.
Navigation, Autonomous: The ability of a robot to get to a pre-determined place without human intervention, sometimes
despite the presence of unknown obstacles, or from an unknown starting point.
Number: Another word for data type that the VEX can understand.
Obstacle Detection: The ability of a robot to detect obstacles in its environment. LEGO robots usually detect obstacles
using a Touch Sensor, an Ultrasonic Sensor, or both.
One-way Communication: See Communication, One-way.
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