LEGO

We now were tasked with building our very own Lego robot. we had to create a vehicle and program it to complete different tasks. From simple strait races to carrying a ball and placing it into a box.
Task 1 go forward three feet unfortunately we do not have video of this one.
Task 2 go forward two feet and do a 90 degree turn and go forward one feet.



Although it was slow and glitchy we were one of the first and only teams to complete the task
Task 3 was to complete a track about 3 feet forward 90 degree right turn one foot forward 90 degree turn right half a foot forward an other 90 degree turn and a foot forward to the finish line we got a record by a miscalculated leap above the barrier that would be approved by the judge (Mr Olson). running the course in a regular fashion we got second overall. Unfortunately we did not get video of either one of them.
Task 4 carry a red ball from point A to point B and putting it in a cardboard box we were one of only two teams to complete the task.

Bridge Building challenge

We were tasked to build a bridge out of coffee stirrers. We were supposed to do only four parallel at the in one spot we decided to challenge our selves and only do three. The bridge could only weigh 50 grams. The bridge should support as much weight as possible and the unit of measurement would be AA batteries. Our bridge initially held 505 batteries and almost collapsed but something weird happened that nobody expected. The actual box holding the batteries broke right as the bridge was getting to the point of collapsing. We pinpointed a weak point  and by adding one tooth peak to support it we where able to hold 600 batteries.

First bridge

As you can see upper left corner bending extremely

So the final weight of our bridge was 48 grams which gets you a ratio of 12.5 batteries for each gram so its a ratio of 12.5:1 Batteries:grams

Marvel Sorter

We were put to the challenge to create a system that would sort into different categories marbles of different colors and materials we could choose 3 out of the 5 but we decided to do 4. We chose the 3 crystal ones (transparent green and red) and the metal one. The reason behind this decision was that we could use the photo resistor to measure the amount of light that goes through to differentiate between them.

Unfortunately due to different reasons we had to abandon the project so it never worked we had planed to use pneumatic to operate a gate to let marbles in one at the time and we had built two motors to compress air into a container to be used.

3.1.7

Problem 1: Start / Finish Line (Hardware Level 1 Software Level 4)
The Olympic committee would like your team to invent a control system for use with
track and field running events. They want this device to automatically record the time
and beep when the first runner crosses the start / finish line

This task was not easy to accomplish due to our lack of experience building the hardware and programming the software. Using a set up similar to the one in 3.1.6 with the lights and the photo resistor we were able to accomplish the goal.

soft ware

We also had to create a delivery vehicle with a kill switch to shut it down in case it gets to far 

Software

In Action

3.1.6

We were tasked to create a system that would move forward a determined number of times. We used lights and photo-resistors to indicate the motor when to  we also used time delays.

Hardware 

Software

By attaching  clickers to the tracks and a similar set up we were able to achieve the same result.

3.1.3 Basic Programing

1 What is the best way to make sure that all of your devices are hooked to the correct interface and have been wired correctly?

Throughout our experience we found out that the best way is to be organized and extremely meticulous with the wires and the ports you plug them into so when you are programming it is easy to keep track of everything.

2 Explain the importance of labeling block functions within a flowchart

 It is imperative for the program to be read correctly and to do adjustments

3.1.4 Branch Functions

Branch Functions

1 Describe why it is important to include branches in programming

It is important because it allows you to have different out comes depending in the incomes or having same out comes from different inputs.

2 Describe an every day application of a normally open switch that has not been given as an example

A door bell is a great example of something normally open until you pres on it to close it and create the sound.

3 Describe an every day application of a normally open switch that has not been given as an example

A window with an alarm system is a great example it is always closed until you open the door which opens the function activating the alarm.

An example of our path

Variables

3.1.5 Variables

We used variables to count the number of times the program went through the cycle 

this allows to count the number of actions you want to do or  inputs you receive we later used this function when creating the delivery veicle

3.1.1

3.1.1 Basic Programing

With this we tuned on the lamp for several seconds

By hooking the buzzer to the lamp we were able to activate them with one comand

A video of our program my partner shirey took