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Lesson 9: Respond to light

Environmental measurement and programming mathematics – Students learn about measuring light levels, storing them in memory and performing mathematics to control the robots behaviour.

 

Understanding variables (Worksheet 9.1)

Students learn about what a variable is in computing and how to set one up in the Edison robot. They also learn about the two different sized variables; ‘bytes’ (8 bits – 0 to 255) and ‘words’ (16 bits -32,767 to +32,767).

 

Program 1 – Light level alarm (Worksheet 9.2)

Students write a program that sounds an alarm when the lights in the room are turned on. This program introduces the use of variables and basic mathematics using a ‘greater than’ (>) comparison.

 

Program 2 – Automatic lights (Worksheet 9.3)

Students write a program that drives the robot forward while monitoring light levels. If the robot drives into a dark area the front lights are automatically turned on. This program uses a ‘less than’ (<) comparison.

 

Program 3 – Light following (Worksheet 9.4)

Students write a program that drives the robot towards bright light, such as that from a torch/flashlight. This program introduces more computational mathematics, using subtraction and then a ‘less than’ (<) comparison.

 

Animal behaviours in robotics

The light following program above demonstrates a robot behaviour that is very similar to that of a moth on a warm night being attracted to a street light.

This can make a good discussion about the intelligence of both insects and robots.

Why is an insect that is attracted to light alive, but not a robot?

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