Potato-Wars-Workshop

Introduction

1 Course details

The objective of the workshop is to Build a smartphone controlled robot using electronics and vegetables.

Participants will first be explained (and demonstrated) the operation of the Smartibot app, circuit board, motors and battery box. Participants will be explained and shown how to build a robot out of vegetables, and explained that there are several challenges: a robot war (involving “pushing” other robots out of the ring) and a race. Then, they will build a robot using the provided Smartibot kit and pre-cut pieces of vegetables.

They will then work on the first iteration of their robots. The first iteration of the robots are tested and discussed, after which participants will build a second iteration of their robot, where participants should learn and experience several mechanical engineering principles including weight distribution, material properties, friction/traction and gear ratios to make the most optimal robot suitable for the challenges. After they have completed their robots, the robot war will be held using the smartphones or tablets provided. Then, the race will be ran. At the end, performances will be reviewed and prizes will be given.

2 You will learn :

Participants should learn how to design and build and program their own robot using the Smartibot platform and vegetables;

Participants should practice development through experimentation and iteration, focused on meeting challenge-based goal;

Participants should learn and experience the principles of user interface design;

Participants should learn and experience mechanical engineering principles including weight distribution, material properties, friction/tracion, gear ratios;

Participants should learn about and experience engineering trade-offs;

Participants should learn and use vegetables as the body of the robot.

3 Tutor

Rehana has studied Pedagogical Sciences in the Netherlands and Psychology in the United Kingdom and has an academic specialisation in educational research and educational psychology. She is an experienced workshop lead and facilitator and has done numerous educational and research projects with several institutions and companies, including for the Sultanate of Oman, Music Tech Fest, BrightSign glove, Cellule Creative Studio, FireTech Camp, Tech Will Save Us, Do It Kits and the Crafty Robot. She is fluent in four languages and is interested in creative and wearable technology.

Agenda

9-10:15 operation of the Smartibot app and how to to build a robot out of vegetables

10:15-10:45 break

10:45-12:00 Testing and first iteration

12-13 lunch

13-14:15 Second iteration

14:15-14:45 break

14:45-16:00 Robot race.

Time

Location

Age

Ages 6+

Price

Please contact us.