Robot Relaxation
2 hours
Ages 7-13
What Will You Make?
You’ll build a cardboard robot using micro: bit and servos that can nod yes and no with.
What Will You Learn?
You will learn the basics of coding position servo motors and creating sequences and algorithms. You will also learn the basics of coding the micro:bit LED array and using pause blocks while programming in Makecode.
Make a Little Bot
Cut Boxes
We recommend that you build your bt with 2 3″x3″x3″ boxes and the full-sized position servos, but this robot can also be made using any small box that you have available. If you do not have 3x3x3 boxes or the full-sized servos, be prepared to get creative and improvise with the design.
Start by taping one side of each cardboard box shut. Cut the flaps off of one box to create 1 open side. Set them aside. You will need some of these tabs later.
Make the Eyes
Use one flap to make cut out eyes, if you want. We traced a small coin to make circles, but you can make any shape you want! Use a blade to cut out your robot’s eyes.
Place a piece of making tape on one of the tabs. This tab will become your robot’s eyes. Hot glue the tab into the box so that the tape surface is lined up with the holes you created in the previous step. Use a marker to draw some eyes for your robot.
Cut a Hole for the Servo
Choose which side of your box will be the top. Place the position servo with the circular servo horn on the center-top of the box. Trace around the base of the servo. Use the blade to cut out a rectangular hole for the servo. Be sure to cut inside the line. This will ensure that the servo has a nice, snug fit.
Calibrate Motors
We want to make sure our robots can look both left and right, so we have to make sure our servo is calibrated. To do this, turn the servo clockwise until it stops. This is position 0. When your robot looks all the way to the right, this will be the servo position.
Turn the servo 90 degrees counter clockwise. When your robot looks forward, this will be the servo position. Keep the servo at position 90 for the remainder of the build.
Hot glue the second servo to the circular servo horn.
Attach the Head
To ensure that the robot’s head is centered on its body we will need to make some spacers. Cut one of the tabs in half. This will create 2 squares. Glue the first square to the “X” servo horn. Glue the second square to the first square. Just as we did before, we need to make sure that this servo is calibrated. Turn it clockwise until the position servo stops, then turn it 90 degrees.
Glue the inside of the head to the second cardboard square.
Close the tabs and tape up the body. Make sure to leave the ends of the servo wires outside the box.
Need more help?
Get more details and watch videos of the building process on the Birdbrain Technology website.
Code Yes or No
Code the Buttons
Use the micro:bit A and B buttons to program your Little Bot to nod yes and no. Use the video tutorials to learn to program using the A and B buttons as inputs, as needed. Download the code to the micro:bit and insert it into the Hummingbird Controller. Connect your servos to the controller and test your robot.
Position Servos
The position servo is a motor that moves to a particular angle. The Hummingbird position servo can move to any angle from 0° to 180°.
Use the video tutorials to learn to program using the position servo, as needed.
Sample Code
Press A to nod yes. Press B to nod no. Check out this example code for yes and no.
Tip!
If your Little Bot’s head goes back and forth rather than up and down, make sure the second position servo is attached to the SIDE of the head, not the back of the face.
What Is Happening Here?
Using Servos
This robot uses 2 servos to control a 2-axis head. A servo (a.k.a. servomotor) is a rotary actuator (mechanical device) that allows for precise control of angular position, velocity and acceleration. It consists of a motor coupled to a sensor. The micro:bit controller sends signals to the servo when the buttons are pushed that make the servo arm change position.
What Is Next?
Program an Emotion
Pick an emotion and program your Little Bot to act out the emotion.
Consider what head positions would communicate the emotion you chose. Use angles to control these. Consider how fast or slow the positions should change to communicate that emotion. Use pause blocks to control this. Consider if some motions may be repeated to communicate this emotion. Use repeat loops to control this. Program the 2 position servos to act out that emotion.
Get someone else to guess which emotion you programmed!
About CodeJoy Education
CodeJoy (Kelsey Derringer and Matt Chilbert) created a live webinar studio that captures the essence of what it means to learn in a classroom. They combine multiple cameras, studio-quality video production, and thoughtful teaching to create an authentic classroom experience that you can join from anywhere. Think of a CodeJoy class as a live, fully- interactive TV show. CodeJoy uses humor, special effects, and narrative storytelling to engage and educate students about robotics and coding – allowing students to control REAL robots in REAL time during the session. Classes can serve large or small audiences, from a single classroom to an entire district!
Materials:
- STRUCTURAL
- Cardboard
- Paper Cups
- Craft sticks
- TP tubes
- Plastic cutlery
- Recyclable materials
- TOOLS
- Box cutter
- Scissors
- Tape
- Hot glue
- DECORATION
- Permanent markers
- Pipe cleaners
- Feathers
- Googly eyes
- Art supplies
Suggested Technology:
- Hummingbird Robotics Kit - Find out more HERE.
- Computer, Chromebook, iPad, or tablet for programming
Additional Resources:
