Programming the RCX

Today I am programming our RCX robot. Sean and Shayna are building the robot and adapting its design. Eric is recording notes about our robot's design and what is being done to it. I have created a program that makes our robot move motor B which control our dumper for a rotation of 35 degrees (measured by a rotation sensor which the axle extending from the motor goes through and then stop). Sean and Shayna have put a beam going across onto our robot to stop the dumper from going too far back and to keep the starting position constant. We have tested our robot and the program works however, the position we are dropping the buckyball is unrealistic considering that later we will have to make it move into that position on the board.

Lego Robotics Club Solving Atomic Force Microscopy

In class we are currently building a second set of missions so we have one set on the missiopn table and one set to put onto the work tables. We will work on the mission on the table where we sit and after a while all of the groups will shift tables and it will work in a way similair to workstations. I have devised a solution to Atomic Force Microscopy by using my NXT robot, which I only work on during after school (I work on my RCX robot during Lego Robotics talent class). Since it already has a "whacker" on it I will use the whacker to hit the axle on the mission and seperate the two magnets. I tested this program but it didn't work well it just used the mission so I reversed the way the motor controling it moves and will test it the next time there is Lego Robotics after-school.

NXT Dilema

My Question: What is the program to put a program onto the NXT brick and how does it work?
After searching online for the answer I found out that the program is RoboLab 2.9. It is an upgrade to Robolab 2.0 and up which has new icons and options which allow you to program the NXT brick. I have installed RoboLab 2.9 and I have made a program that waits for the ultrasonic sensor to sense an object in front of it moving closer to it, makes all motors move forward for 4 seconds after this, and then stops all motors.

Subscribing to a Podcast

Yesterday in Lego Robotics class we learned how to subscribe to a podcast. A podcast is and audio or video clip that is found on the internet and you tune into it in a way similair to receiving a radio signal by using the program iTunes Besides listening to it on your computer you can download it to your iPod or MP3 player. To subscribe to a podcast you must first go on the internet. Next, open iTunes. Then, in iTunes click on the "Advanced" menu and click on the "subscribe to podcast" option. After this, you must find the URL, or the web address and enter it into iTunes. Now you are ready to listen to the podcast.

The RCX




Yesterday we had a review of the RCX. The RCX is a microprocessor. It has an on-off button which turns the RCX on or off, the program button which lets you go through th five program slots, the run button which starts the program, and the view button which changes what is being displayed on the RCX's screen. On the RCX the are outpout ports; A, B, and C, which bring something out of the RCX. The motors and lamps go on these. There are also input ports; 1, 2, and 3; which bring somehting into the RCX. Sensors go onto these and bring information into the RCX. For example, the touch sensor brings data into the RCX if it is touched.

Let the Building Begin

Toady we are starting to build a robot that will solve the mission "Smart Medicine." We are beginning by building a modified chasis for the robot. We have left room in the chasis to insert a rotation sensor. Also, we have put a wacker onto the robot.