Now that we’ve done some work with simple robots, it’s time to move on to larger robots and more complex challenges. In this unit we’ll get to build the first round of our larger FTC robots! For those that want to be part of our competitive robot teams, this is the place we start! When we build our large robots, we’ll follow a similar strategy from before:
- Build the robot frame. We’ll start with the standard frame by following instructions.
- Program the robot to do what you want.
- Test & fix your robot and its program to complete various challenges.
Our FTC robots will be a little more time consuming to build because they’re made out of aluminum bar, screws, and nuts instead of just LEGOs. Also, the programming will be a little more complicated just because it’s a different system with more components on it. The trade-off will be that these robots will do a lot more than the LEGO robots did! We’ll follow these steps:
- STEP 1: Use the tutorial and instructions to build a simple robot frame
- STEP 2: Use the tutorial and instructions to write a simple robot program
- STEP 3: Then adapt your program and your robot to accomplish various challenges
When you’re done, you’ll have built your second robot, and will understand how all the FTC components work together!
To build the basic robot, you’ll need to follow a tutorial video and written instructions to build a simple frame. We’re going to follow the instructions closely on this to make sure we all get functioning robots moving before we start customizing. Then, follow the second tutorial video and instructions to attach the electronics components to your robot. When everything is attached, have Mr. Benshoof approve it and move on to the programming step!
GRADING & PROCESS
Watch the Frame Tutorial and make a few notes and a sketch in your engineering notebook.
Build the basic frame by following the instructions carefully.
Watch the Electronics Tutorial and make a few notes and a sketch in your engineering notebook.
Attach the electronic components by following the instructions carefully.
Have Mr. Benshoof confirm your initial robot build before starting programming.
Robot Building Introduction
Robot Frame Tutorial
Basic Electronics Tutorial
We know that programming is one of the big challenges in robotics. To get started, we’ll upload a simple pre-built program and make sure that your robot can move. Once it actually moves, we’ll go in and make some changes to the basic program to make our robot complete a basic task. This will get us all setup to start doing bigger challenges!
GRADING & PROCESS
Watch the Programming Tutorial and make a few notes in your engineering notebook.
Upload the tutorial program to your robot and run it to confirm everything moves.
Watch the Basic Task Tutorial and talk with your team about how to solve the problem.
Make small changes to the tutorial program to complete the basic task.
Have Mr. Benshoof confirm your basic task is complete!
Programming Introduction
OnBot Java (formerly Android Studio)
Programming Tutorial
We made it! This is the exciting part, where you get to adapt your program and change your robot in small ways to accomplish a series of challenges. You’ll start by choosing 2 of the 5 available easy tasks to complete. Once that’s done, pick 1 medium-hard series from the 3 available and start tackling those. You’ll need to work with your team to brainstorm possible solutions and do a lot of trial-and-error!
GRADING & PROCESS
Review the Simple Challenges with your team and select one. Brainstorm solutions and decide how you want to tackle it.
Work with your team to solve the challenge.
Pick a second Simple Challenge with your team. Brainstorm solutions and decide how you want to tackle it.
Work with your team to solve the challenge.
Review the Medium/Hard Challenges with your team and select one pair. Brainstorm solutions and decide how you want to tackle it.
Work with your team to solve the challenges.
Have Mr. Benshoof confirm your team’s success!
Complete your short reflection on the FTC Robots and our process
FTC Challenge Match 1
FTC Challenge Match 2
FTC Challenge Match 3
Part 1 Resources
Part 2 Resources
OnBot Java Reference