Instruction Guide: EV3 - What is a Robot?

Submitted by Randy Steele on 14 March, 2014 - 11:04

In this Lesson we have 2 Primary Instruction Resources:

  1. The 1st resource, What is a Robot? PPT, answers the question posed in the file title.
  2. The 2nd resource is the EV3 Trainer (a.k.a.  Introduction to Programming LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3) lesson describing how a robots actions depend on its programming and what it perceives thru its sensors.

Resource 1:

The What is a Robot? PPT file may be used to facilitate the discussion.

Slide 1

Discussion: What is a Robot?

Ask each team what they think a robot is (there is no universally accepted definition).

  • Generally accepted attributes are that robots:
    • Are manufactured (i.e. they are man-made, they do not "grow on trees")
    • Can sense their environment
    • Can respond to instructions
  • Ask each team to give examples of robots they know (real or fictional)
    • Ask students to describe how one (or more) of their example robots match the three attributes above.

Slide 2

  • Some feel a robot must also be capable of movement. What do your student think?
  • What about a Washing Machine? Is this a robot, or a machine? Why?
  • What about an electronic gate? Is this a robot, or a machine? Why?
    • These are ambiguous - they appear to meet the 3 characteristics (and they move), yet most people consider these to be machines.
    • The precise definition of a robot is open to debate - so students can support positions on both sides.  

Slide 3 

Ask students why we have robots?

  • The 4 D's:
    • Dull work (assembly line)
    • Dirty work (mining, cleaning)
    • Dangerous work (bomb disposal)
    • Delicate work (precision work - surgery, fine assembly)

How many types of real robots can student think of?  

The EV3 Trainer Teacher’s Guide has additional reproducibles for those who have purchased the product.The  reproducibles for What is a Robot? can be found on page120.

Resource 2:

The  EV3 Trainer  Curriculum has a lesson describing the actions of a robot based on programming and sensors.

Basics > Big Ideas 1-2

  • Big Ideas: 1-2

The EV3 Trainer Teacher's Guide references this on page 18.