Workshop 6: Making our Robots
This final makerspace workshop focused on making our robot or systems 'prototypes' followed by showcasing to the team and asking big questions.
Messaging Device
This communication device or ‘messaging’ tool was created where coding was involved and an arrow directed to the options of ‘art’ and ‘maths’. The student showcasing explained how this could be integrated or developed into further communication such as on mobiles or apps, selling its potential to the rest of the group.
Tea Tray Delivery Service
This was built upon one of the robots (dash) that was particularly accessible for our student who is a wheelchair user with limited mobility. They were highly skilled at directing the robot through the iPad touch screen interface. Their group wanted to utilise this function and developed a cardboard tray system that was built on top of the existing robot. To test their prototype, the team used paper cups and soon realised there was an issue with stability when stopping. The team used an iterative approach to try a range of solutions to over come this problem. The latest prototype included a stabilisation leg that helped prevent the tray tipping forward.
'Chompy': Therapy Bot to Annoying Device
The chattering teeth or ‘Chompy’ was showcased. This design progressed from a potential ‘therapy tool’ to being named ‘a potentially annoying device’. Our designer behind 'Chompy' was 'proud of this guy!'
A New Fan
One student worked with one of the Greenacre staff and showcased their electrical fan. At the start of the day, we had gone on a search for a fan for our workshop room given the constraints of the room and the lack of ventilation. Our windows were open and a fan was found but students expressed it wasn’t very good and one student took it upon themselves to respond and build their own. They explored the electronic componenets in the Maker Emporium and tinkered with an electric motor and batteries. We discussed what happens if the polarity of the power is reversed and strategies for attaching new elements to the motor shaft. Some problem solving strategies were needed when they encountered problems with their early prototypes. Firstly, the large cardboard fins were causing issues for the limited power of the motor and secondly, the pilar supporting the fan was unstable. The student tinkered with various possibilities to see what would work and was able to overcome these issues.
The big robotic questions
After showcasing the protoypes, we responded to the following questions:
What do you like about your robot?
Why should people trust your prototype?
Why is it important that we get to make our own robots?
Can you think of other systems or robots or certain features that you would like to see designed and made to help you?
In the future do you see youself as a user, a maker or both?