Software Foundations with Arduino ShieldBot and PixyCam
Learn how to plan, adapt, and debug code for a robot
Software Foundations is an introduction to core robot control concepts with a focus on navigation, sensing, and machine vision. Participants learn to adapt and validate code through an iterative software engineering process. Using the ShieldBot and PixyCam, they iterate on increasingly complex control algorithms that incorporate loops, conditionals, and sensors to solve real-world challenges. SMART is an ARM Endorsed program
In this unit, participants perform a system validation by inventorying ShieldBot components and confirming their integrity through functional tests. They use structured checklists to verify that all hardware elements are present and operational, establishing a reliable foundation for the robotics build and programming phases.
In this unit, participants assemble the ShieldBot robot by integrating its three core subsystems: Mobility, Power, and Control. They follow a structured build process and execute diagnostic programs to validate mechanical and electrical connections, ensuring the robot is ready for software development and autonomous behavior.
In this unit, participants integrate analog and digital sensors into the ShieldBot platform, including mechanical whisker switches and a phototransistor-based light sensor. They develop control logic to interpret environmental inputs and implement decision-making using conditionals, variables, and comparator structures in code.
Camera Navigation with Arduino ShieldBot and PixyCam
In this unit, students learn to implement a vision-based system that provides navigation abilities, based on color, objects, and shapes. Users are expected to make mechanical adjustments, electrical re-wirings, and significant improvements to fully utilize the PixyCam on the Shieldbot.
Camera Programming with Arduino ShieldBot and PixyCam
This unit takes students through using the ShieldBot Camera to store a unique image/signature that represents its parking spot. In the challenge for this unit, the robot must check over different parking spots and move into the spot only if it matches the unique signature.
