Making a Robotic Arm

As a human, we want everything to be more comfortable, better, cheaper. Robots can be a solution to do tasks that humans do not want or cannot do. Robots can be programmed to do dangerous things or something too complicated for a person. We live in a world full of technology, and it can be used in many ways. Among others, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain changed the way we live and have provided more effective ways to simplify work. Thus, it is crucial to maximize technology's functionality to promote development, use, and exchange of information.

Growing up, I have always been curious as to how things work. I would disassemble tools and toys to see what is inside and reassemble them. I would also disassemble broken tools or toys to use parts like servos. I would observe the components and learn their function. I’m always interested in technology and I would use it to make my life easier and always find shortcuts to minimize time and effort.

I realized that robots are precise and efficient in doing tasks. Moreover, robots could be more price efficient than humans in doing tasks. I aim to develop a robotic arm that would be useful in day to day situations. This is a highly challenging goal because I have never built anything similar. This Project will require much Research, learning, building, and commitment.

I chose this Project because technology is exciting, and I always wanted to build a robot. It also gives me the chance to further explore my programming and Active Learning skills in a form that I have never worked on before. By making the robotic arm, It will help show the wonders of technology but also the programming used to make the arm operate.

Global Context

The global context of my Project is scientific and technological innovation. The global context focuses on the impact of scientific and technological advances on society. The global context relates to my Project because robotics’ goal is to design intelligent machines to help humans in their day-to-day lives and keep everyone safe. And by development and innovation. Scientific and technological innovation correlates to my Project, as my goal is to innovate the automation and emulation of human actions.

Product

The final product is a Robotic arm that can be controlled using a Camera using image recognition technology. The robotic hand is an Inmoov hand design by Gael Langevin; he is a French sculptor and designer. InMoov is the first Open Source 3D printed life-size robot. Replicable on any home 3D printer with a 12x12x12cm area. My robotic arm was printed on my 3d printer Ender 5 with PLA plastic. I chose to use PLA plastic because PLA plastic is low-cost and easy to print than the other 3d printer plastics. PLA is also the most environmentally friendly and biodegradable. My product responds to the global context and stands for Scientific and technical innovation because my product uses scientific principles, impacting scientific and technological advances on communities and environments. The products combine hardware and software working together in unison

Reflection

In completing my personal Project, my understanding has developed further. Not only did I improve my coding skills, my problem-solving skills were also improved. I used to view code like it was something that can just be copy and pasted. I thought that code that works with others would work for me. I recognize that code needs to be understood, writing code without knowing how what, and why is like going in blind. Writing code is writing an essay. Without knowing what to write and why you write it, it will be tough for you. Tiny details in a code matter, one mistake in a code whether its incorrect formatting or spelling the code just does not work. My problem solving and creative skills have improved; thus, I can find a solution to a problem with innovative thinking.

Moreover, I learned functionality. Learning functionality is learning in a way that is relevant and functional to you. Learning the functionality helped me better understand the product and its use cases. I have understood its functionality and could in the future make my product more functional and, through innovation, make development.

The global context “Scientific and Technological Innovation” explores the natural world and its interaction with humans. Using technology and engineering to assist humans with their daily life and, in some instances, reduce human error. Through this project, I learned to use technology to adapt our environment to our needs. Furthermore, I hope to inspire others to use technology to adapt the environment and provide an affordable solution to daily problems.

IB Learner Reflection

As IB students, we are always developing our IB learner profile. “ The IB learner profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities beyond academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others, and the world around them.” (IBO). The most notable development of the profiles was risk-taker, communicator, and thinkers throughout the Personal Project. Exploring new ideas and innovative strategies has developed my risk-taking skills. I took a risk making my product, and it was well beyond my comfort zone, as I had no prior knowledge of building a robotic arm nor coding one. I also took a risk when I was trying to make the servo work. Even though I did Research, the outcome is different to what I had hoped for. When I was powering the servos with a power supply, it all blew up and needed to be replaced. There are several new concepts and ideas that I have not explored. As I dig deeper into this subject the more, I discover new knowledge through Research.

Furthermore, Through Personal projects, I have further developed my communication skills. As communicators, we “understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in various modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others”. My Project took a lot of communication skills; it was necessary for me to communicate and acquire information and feedback from peers, sources, and my supervisor. Being a thinker is having the initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned ethical decisions. As a thinker, we use our critical and creative thinking skills and make decisions. Everything needs to be thought of from making the goal statement to calculating the power needed to power the servos. Thinking skills are involved with everything we do, notably in solving unfamiliar problems or situations. Moreover, being reflective with self-reflections and self-evaluations provide insights and self-realization. Being reflective gives the chance to stop and look back to identify the strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage.