Robot Design Brief

Brief

Design a robotics kit that can be used to teach Key Stage 4 students about computer programming. The robot should be able to be used in a classroom setting and should be based on the Raspberry Pi computer and should be programmed using the Python programming language. It should be able to be programmed to move around autonomously using its own sensors and actuators. You should choose which types of sensors are suitable for your particular robot.

Background

Robots have been used in education for around 30 years now. They make good tools for teaching children of varying ages about technology, programming, maths and engineering. Recently there has been a resurgence in learning computing at schools, with the national curriculum being updated to reflect this. New tools will be required in order to make this initiative successful, which is where this project comes in.

Testing

The design of any product will only be successful if it has been tested with the users it is intended for. In this case you will be testing your product with students at… You should use this opportunity to identify weaknesses in your design and any false assumptions about how your product will be used.

Points to consider

·      How will you differentiate your robot from others already on the market?

·      How will your robot be powered?

·      Should it be pre-assembled or assembled by the students themselves?

·      How does the robot meet the curriculum needs of the students?

·      Is your robot safe to use?

·      How is learning using your robot more interesting than others?

·      Is it easy for the teacher to use?

·      Can it be modified or does it only do one thing?

·      Do you need to make any supporting material to go along with the robot?

Success Criteria

·      It should be used successfully by the students at Key Stage 4

·      It should cost under £200

·      It should use Python running on the Raspberry Pi

Key Way Points

16th April – Product and market Research Phase

7th May -      Practical presentation of research

14th May -   Prototype Development

18th June -   Product testing with Key Stage 4 learners

25th June -   Dragons Den presentation

Minimum Evidence Requirements

·      Each of you needs a project plan developed in Excel or Project. This should reflect the different tasks each team member will be doing. It should be version able to show any amendments to the plan.

·      Each of you needs to maintain a visual log of your activities and those of the rest of your team. This needs to be added to every week detailing your targets for the week, your successes and what you are finding problematic and need to do more work on.

·      A working robot with accompanying materials, suitably packaged with a marketing plan, costings for development and production.

Starting Points for Week 1

·      Identify members of your team and develop an initial project plan.

·      Key Stage 4 Computing Curriculum

·      Robots currently on the market

·      Robots in society now and in the future

·      History of Robotics

·      The Internet of Everything  (or Things)

·      Thingiverse

·      Mirobot

 

Ben Pirt, Mirobot