Software Foundations with Arduino ShieldBot and HuskyLens
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 HuskyLens AI camera, they iterate on increasingly complex control algorithms that incorporate loops, conditionals, and AI-driven perception 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.
Color-Based Perception with Arduino ShieldBot and HuskyLens
In this unit, participants explore how robots can detect and make decisions based on colored objects using the HuskyLens AI camera. Participants train the camera to recognize specific-colored objects and then modify code to respond with different, intelligent actions.
AprilTag Navigation with Arduino ShieldBot and HuskyLens
In this unit, participants learn to configure the HuskyLens AI camera to detect and track AprilTag markers. They explore how machine vision enables robots to identify specific tags and trigger programmed behaviors, supporting tasks like localization, positioning, and robot navigation.
In this extension unit, participants explore real-time computer vision by configuring the HuskyLens AI camera to perform facial recognition, object recognition, and line tracking. Through hands-on experimentation, they gain insight into how AI algorithms interpret visual inputs and guide robotic behavior.
Extension Unit: Infrared Teleoperation with Arduino ShieldBot
In this unit, students learn to control the ShieldBot using an IR remote and receiver. They explore how IR signals work, program robot responses to remote buttons, and test range, interference, and line-of-sight.
