"Computer Science is the operating system for all innovation" -Steve Ballmer

Our Research Paper

Overview

This week, using kits, we made two robots; the Redbot and the Tamiya bot. Additionally, we coded for the robots to be able to successfully navigate itself and others out of a building in times of disaster. The Redbot is able to sense the brightness of what is below, while the Tamiya bot is able to sense obstacles and avoid them. Together, they are able to be heroes in disastrous situations.

Computer Science

The study of principles, theories, and practices related to computers and computational systems. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including algorithms, data structures, programming languages, software development, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography, and more. Computer scientists explore the fundamental concepts and theories underlying computer systems and develop practical solutions to complex problems using computational techniques.

Computer Engineering

A discipline that combines elements of computer science and electrical engineering. It focuses on the design, development, and integration of computer hardware and software systems. Computer engineers work on various aspects of computer systems, including microprocessors, digital logic design, computer architecture, embedded systems, networking, and computer peripherals. They often deal with the physical components of computers, such as circuits, processors, memory devices, and input/output interfaces.

Robotics

An interdisciplinary field that involves the design, development, programming, and application of robots. It combines principles from computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and other related fields. Robotics encompasses the study of robot hardware, such as sensors, actuators, and control systems, as well as the software algorithms and programming techniques used to control and operate machines. Robotics has diverse applications, including industrial automation, medical robots, autonomous vehicles, space exploration, and more. It explores the interaction between machines and the physical world, enabling robots to perceive, understand, and interact with their environment.

Design Process

Assembling the Robots

The first step was to assemble both of the robots. The group members with less experience in Arduino and coding began by practicing in the Inventor's kit black box, and building both the Tamiya bot and the Redbot, while the others began working on the code for the robots. The Tamiya bot originally had a single motor, which only moves forward and backward. However, we decided to separately make a double motor to attach to the bot instead so that the bot can turn. While assembling the double motor, we saw a problem with the gears, as the gears were too loose which negatively affected the transmission of the gears, which therefore affected the ability of the robot to successfully move. To fix the problem, we changed the design of the gearbox to the second design on the manual, which in the end was successful, and our bot was able to successfully move. On the other hand, the assembling of the Redbot was a lot more successful with just the minor challenge of the wire connections. In the end, we were able to assemble two functioning robots that were ready to be coded. 

Adding the Redboards

After the basis of the robots were assembled, we had to add the sensors and the redboards to the robots. The redboard reads the code from Arduino, and the robot will move accordingly to what the sensor reads. For example, if the code indicates for the robot to avoid obstacles, the redboard receives that code, and the sensor will sense an obstacle in front, and be able to avoid it. Both of our robots have redboards and are therefore able to apply the code and move accordingly. 

Coding

As both of the robots were assembled with the redboards and sensors connected as well, we then had to start on the code. For the code we used Arduino, which is connected to the redboards that we placed on our robots. We started by coding for the Redbot. The entire coding process was challenging and we faced many rounds of trial and error before we were able to code exactly what we wanted for our robot.