Robot Aerobics
2 hours
Ages 7-13
What Will You Make?
Groove along with the robots as you program their servo motors to move to the beat.
What Will You Learn?
Participants will learn the basics of coding position servo motors and creating sequences and algorithms.
Single Motor Dancer
Move a Motor
Program a position servo to move back and forth. 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°. Experiment with angles and time.
Use the video tutorials to learn to program using the light sensor, as needed.
Mount a Servo on Cardboard
Trace around the motor. Cut on the inside of the lines. Pop out the piece you just cut. Insert the motor, wire first.
Check out the video tutorial on the BirdBrain site for more information.
Design and Build
Design and build a robot that has a wiggling body part using this hack. For example the hula dancer is triggered by a sound sensor!
Aerobics Robot
The Challenge
Design and build a robot that can teach someone to do a dance move!
Suggested Criteria (Things your robot must do)
- Must include at least 2 motors.
- Must perform a repeatable dance move.
- Must teach a human how to do the dance move.
Suggested Constraints (Limits on your project)
- Size limit suggestion: Shoe box
Prototype
Draw or make a prototype – a rough first draft – of your design. Start with a non-moving prototype. Then consider where motors, sensors, and other electronic components can be added. Use the Engineering Design Process and Prototyping Cards to guide the process.
Code Your Robot
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.
Check out our example code for our Robot Aerobics dancers.
What Is Happening Here?
Servos
This robot uses servos to control the dancer. 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?
Add a Drummer
Build a tiny drummer using a cup, popsicle stick, and servo motor. What other musicians can you imagine?
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:
