SmartLab students add senses to robotics

SmartLab teams built "taskbots" this week and then gave their creations three of the five senses. The teams first built a basic chassis and programmed it to follow simple instructions. Then teams added the senses of touch, hearing and sight. The robots were able to "see" using ultrasonic sensors and avoid objects. The robots could also "hear" using a microphone that allowed the robots to react to various decibel levels. The sense of touch was replicated with a bump sensor that allowed the teams to program their robot to reverse course if they bumped into anything. Students will move on to more complicated programming this week as they program their robot to navigate an obstacle course.