Design and build a robot prototype using paper, cardboard, and simple mechanisms. Focus on form, movement, and interaction without electronics.

Objectives:

• Form Design: Create compelling robot appearance and personality
• Movement Planning: Design mechanical movement patterns
• Interaction: Consider how humans will interact with this robot
• Documentation: Record design rationale and iteration

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard, paper, foam core
• Scissors, glue, tape
• Markers for decoration
• Brass fasteners for movable joints
• String or elastic for simple mechanisms

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Define Purpose: What will your robot do? (deliver objects, greet people, clean, etc.)
• Sketch Ideas: Draw 3-5 different robot forms from different angles
• Choose Design: Select one design and refine it
• Build Structure: Create main body using cardboard
• Add Movement: Use brass fasteners for rotating joints, test range of motion
• Add Personality: Details like eyes, color, shape convey character
• Test Interaction: Have someone interact with your robot, observe what works
• Iterate: Make improvements based on testing
• Document: Photo and describe your design decisions

Reflection Questions:

• How does your robot's form communicate its function?
• What personality does your robot have? How is it conveyed?
• What movements are most important for your robot's task?
• If you were to add electronics, which sensors and actuators would you need?

Step-by-step guided project to build your first working robot using Arduino. Learn sensors, motors, and basic programming.

What You'll Learn:

• Component Assembly: Connecting sensors, motors, and microcontroller
• Sensor Reading: Using infrared sensors to detect lines
• Motor Control: Programming differential drive for steering
• Logic Programming: If-then rules for robot behavior

Required Components:

• Arduino Uno board
• Motor driver shield (L293D or similar)
• 2x DC motors with wheels
• 2x IR line sensors
• Robot chassis (or build from cardboard)
• Battery pack (6V or 9V)
• Jumper wires

Build Instructions:

• Assemble Chassis: Attach motors to robot base
• Mount Arduino: Secure Arduino and motor driver to chassis
• Wire Motors: Connect motors to motor driver outputs
• Attach Sensors: Mount IR sensors at front, facing down
• Connect Sensors: Wire sensors to Arduino digital pins
• Add Power: Connect battery pack to motor driver
• Upload Code: Program basic line-following logic
• Create Track: Use black tape on white surface to make a path
• Test & Tune: Adjust sensor position and code for best performance

Basic Code Logic:

• Read left and right IR sensors
• If both sensors see the line → go forward
• If left sensor sees line, right doesn't → turn left
• If right sensor sees line, left doesn't → turn right
• If neither sensor sees line → stop or search

Customization Ideas:

• Add speed control to make smoother turns
• Implement more sophisticated search behavior when line is lost
• Add LEDs to indicate robot state
• Create obstacle detection with ultrasonic sensor

Resources: Tutorial code and wiring diagrams available at Arduino.cc project hub.

Design a robot for a specific context or use case. Create concept sketches, specifications, and interaction scenarios.

Choose Your Context:

• Hospital patient care robot
• Museum guide and information robot
• Classroom teaching assistant robot
• Retail customer service robot
• Home elderly companion robot
• Or define your own specific context

Design Process:

• Research Context: Understand the environment, users, and needs
• Define Requirements: What must the robot do? What constraints exist?
• Design Form: Sketch robot appearance considering context expectations
• Plan Behaviors: What actions and reactions should the robot have?
• Select Components: Which sensors and actuators are needed?
• Map Interactions: How will people interact with this robot?
• Consider Ethics: What could go wrong? Privacy, safety, job displacement concerns?
• Create Specification: Document your complete robot design

Deliverables:

• Concept Sketches: Multiple views of robot design
• Interaction Scenarios: 3-5 use cases with illustrations
• Technical Specification: Sensors, actuators, capabilities list
• Behavior Description: How robot responds to different situations
• Ethics Assessment: Potential concerns and mitigation strategies

Evaluation Criteria:

• Does the robot's form fit its function and context?
• Are the proposed interactions natural and intuitive?
• Is the technical specification realistic and achievable?
• Have ethical concerns been thoughtfully addressed?
• Is the design innovative while being practical?