In this Lesson we have 2 Primary Instruction Resources:
- The 1st resource, What is a Robot? PPT [1], answers the question posed in the file title.
- The 2nd resource is the EV3 Trainer (a.k.a. Introduction to Programming LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3) [2]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 [1] 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?
- Entertainment (animatronic characters)
- Domestic (Roomba, biped <PETMAN [3]>)
- Industrial (assembly line, Kiva Warehouse Robot [4])
- Medical (surgery <Micro-origami-bot Video [5]>, artificial limbs)
- Exploratory (outer space, deep sea)
- Military (Pack Bots <Big Dog Video [6]>, drone airplanes)
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 [7] references this on page 18.
