Expectations and Grading
40% of your grade is dependent on Lab work. This grade is primarily determined by lab attendance since you will be completing in-lab assignments during this time.
50% of your grade is dependent on the term project which will be completed in teams. One lab wil be dedicated to introducing the project and time given for you to work with your team. However, you are expected to complete the majority of work on this project outside of the lab.
LEGO KITS
Each team has been assigned a Lego NXT Mindstorms kit. This kit must be returned with no missing pieces at the end of the course - so take care of it! You will be responsible for buying any additional batteries for the kit. Make sure you assign one member of your team to keep the robot safe each week.
Labs and Software
We will be using the Lego Mindstorms software which comes with your kit, in addition to LeJOS. Computers in Tompkins 411 have this software installed and you are also free to install the software on your personal computers.
Schedule
- 9/25/09: Introduction, Overview of Lego Mindstorms, Designing Robot Behaviors, Team Assignments and Teamwork Discussion. Using Lego Mindstorms software for motor control
- Team Assignment due next lab: Use the building instructions in the Lego Mindstorms User Guide to finish building your first robot ready to be used in the next lab. Your robot should be designed so that you can write an obstacle avoidance behavior and a line following behavior. One of each type of sensor must be attached.
- 10/2/09: Obstacle Avoidance, Light Following and Bluetooth in Lego Mindstorms.
- Team Assignment due next lab: Complete the in-class Obstacle Avoidance and Light Following behaviors.
- 10/9/09: Lejos Intro
- Designing obstacle avoidance behaviors using Lejos. Command line tips can be found here. Lejos handout can be found here.
- 10/16/09: Light Sensing and Line Following behaviors.
- Designing a line-follower. The light sensor template program can be found here.
- Listeners vs Polling
- HOMEWORK - email Darby with a description of your team dynamics... how is it going? is everyone working the same amount or does it seem like work is unevenly distributed? Are you communicating well?
- 10/23/09: Project Introduction
- Introduce the final project
- 10/30/09: TBA
- 11/6/09: TBA
- 11/13/09: Final Project Presentations and Demos.
- Each team must prepare a presentation and demo their robot's behavior.
Resources
Lego NXT Mindstorms
Command line hints
Lejos |