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Robotics with the Board of Education Shield for Arduino

Curriculum

  • 9 Sections
  • 148 Lessons
  • Lifetime
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
  • About This Tutorial
    3
    • 2.0
      About the BOE Shield-Bot
    • 2.1
      Audience and Support
    • 2.2
      Author & Contributors
  • Chapter 1. Your Shield-Bot's Brain
    25
    • 3.1
      Chapter 1. Your Shield-Bot’s Brain
    • 3.2
      Hardware and Software Options
    • 3.3
      Shield-Bot Chassis Parts
    • 3.4
      Shield-Bot Hardware
    • 3.5
      Shield-Bot Electronics Parts
    • 3.6
      Activity 1: Download and Install the Software
    • 3.7
      Activity 2: Write a Simple “Hello!” Sketch
    • 3.8
      Codebender Hello Sketch
    • 3.9
      How the Hello Sketch Code Works
    • 3.10
      Modify the Sketch to Repeat
    • 3.11
      Hello Messages on New Lines
    • 3.12
      Open the Arduino Reference
    • 3.13
      Activity 3: Store and Retrieve Values
    • 3.14
      Global vs.Local Variables
    • 3.15
      Activity 4: Solve Math Problems
    • 3.16
      Try Floating Point Math
    • 3.17
      Activity 5: Make Decisions
    • 3.18
      More Decisions with if… else if
    • 3.19
      Activity 6: Count and Control Repetitions
    • 3.20
      How the for Loop Works
    • 3.21
      Adjust Initialization, Condition, and Increment
    • 3.22
      Activity 7: Constants and Comments
    • 3.23
      Chapter 1 Summary
    • 3.24
      Chapter 1 Challenges
    • 3.25
      Chapter 1 Solutions
  • Chapter 2. Shield, Lights, Servo Motors
    23
    • 4.0
      Chapter 2. Shield, Lights, Servo Motors
    • 4.1
      Activity 1: Board of Education Shield Setup
    • 4.2
      Activity 2: Build and Test LED Indicator Lights
    • 4.3
      Introducing the Resistor
    • 4.4
      Introducing the LED
    • 4.5
      Introducing the Prototyping Area
    • 4.6
      LED Test Circuit
    • 4.7
      How a Sketch Makes the LED Turn On and Off
    • 4.8
      Introducing the Timing Diagram
    • 4.9
      Activity 3: LED Servo Signal Monitors
    • 4.10
      How to Use the Arduino Servo Library
    • 4.11
      Activity 4: Connect Servo Motors and Batteries
    • 4.12
      Connect the Servos to the BOE Shield
    • 4.13
      Connect the Battery Pack to the BOE Shield
    • 4.14
      5-cell Pack Setup
    • 4.15
      4-cell Pack + Boe-Boost Setup
    • 4.16
      Activity 5: Centering the Servos
    • 4.17
      Activity 6: Testing the Servos
    • 4.18
      Controlling Servo Speed and Direction
    • 4.19
      How To Control Servo Run Time
    • 4.20
      Chapter 2 Summary
    • 4.21
      Chapter 2 Challenges
    • 4.22
      Chapter 2 Solutions
  • Chapter 3. Assemble and Test your BOE Shield-Bot
    22
    • 5.0
      Chapter 3. Assemble and Test your BOE Shield-Bot
    • 5.1
      Activity 1: Assembling the BOE-Shield-Bot
    • 5.2
      Mount the Topside Hardware
    • 5.3
      Remove the Servo Horns
    • 5.4
      Mount the Servos on the Chassis
    • 5.5
      Mount the Battery Pack
    • 5.6
      Mount the Wheels
    • 5.7
      Attach the BOE Shield to the Chassis
    • 5.8
      Activity 2: Re-test the Servos
    • 5.9
      Testing the Left and Right Wheels
    • 5.10
      Servo Troubleshooting
    • 5.11
      Activity 3: Start-Reset Indicator
    • 5.12
      Build the Piezospeaker Circuit
    • 5.13
      Programming the Start-Reset Indicator
    • 5.14
      Example Sketch: StartResetIndicator
    • 5.15
      Activity 4: Test Speed Control
    • 5.16
      Example Sketch: Test Servo Speed
    • 5.17
      How TestServoSpeed Works
    • 5.18
      Optional: Record Your Own Transfer Curve Data
    • 5.19
      Chapter 3 Summary
    • 5.20
      Chapter 3 Challenges
    • 5.21
      Chapter 3 Solutions
  • Chapter 4. BOE Shield-Bot Navigation
    19
    • 6.0
      Chapter 4. BOE Shield-Bot Navigation
    • 6.1
      Activity 1: Basic BOE Shield-Bot Maneuvers
    • 6.2
      How ForwardThreeSeconds Works
    • 6.3
      Moving Backward, Rotating, and Pivoting
    • 6.4
      Activity 2: Tuning the Basic Maneuvers
    • 6.5
      Tuning the Turns
    • 6.6
      Activity 3: Calculating Distances
    • 6.7
      Activity 4: Ramping Maneuvers
    • 6.8
      Activity 5: Simplify Navigation with Functions
    • 6.9
      Function Call with Parameters
    • 6.10
      Put Maneuvers Into Functions
    • 6.11
      Activity 6: Custom Maneuver Function
    • 6.12
      Activity 7: Maneuver Sequences with Arrays
    • 6.13
      Using Array Elements
    • 6.14
      Navigation with Arrays
    • 6.15
      Character Arrays and switch-case
    • 6.16
      Chapter 4 Summary
    • 6.17
      Chapter 4 Challenges
    • 6.18
      Chapter 4 Solutions
  • Chapter 5. Tactile Navigation with Whiskers
    13
    • 7.0
      Chapter 5. Tactile Navigation with Whiskers
    • 7.1
      Activity 1: Build and Test the Whiskers
    • 7.2
      How Whisker Switches Work
    • 7.3
      Testing the Whiskers
    • 7.4
      How DisplayWhiskerStates Works
    • 7.5
      Activity 2: Field-Test the Whiskers
    • 7.6
      Activity 3: Navigation with Whiskers
    • 7.7
      How RoamingWithWhiskers Works
    • 7.8
      Activity 4: Artificial Intelligence for Escaping Corners
    • 7.9
      How Escaping Corners Works
    • 7.10
      Chapter 5 Summary
    • 7.11
      Chapter 5 Challenges
    • 7.12
      Chapter 5 Solutions
  • Chapter 6. Light-Sensitive Navigation with Phototransistors
    18
    • 8.0
      Chapter 6. Light-Sensitive Navigation with Phototransistors
    • 8.1
      Introducing the Phototransistor
    • 8.2
      Activity 1: Simple Light to Voltage Sensor
    • 8.3
      Example Sketch: PhototransistorVoltage
    • 8.4
      Halt Under the Bright Light
    • 8.5
      How the Phototransistor Circuit Works
    • 8.6
      Ohm’s Law
    • 8.7
      Activity 2: Measure Light Levels Over a Larger Range
    • 8.8
      Building the Photosensitive Eyes
    • 8.9
      Test the Phototransistor Circuit
    • 8.10
      rcTime and Voltage Decay
    • 8.11
      Activity 3: Light Measurements for Roaming
    • 8.12
      Light Measurement Graphic Display
    • 8.13
      Activity 4: Test a Light-Roaming Routine
    • 8.14
      Activity 5: Shield-Bot Navigating by Light
    • 8.15
      Chapter 6 Summary
    • 8.16
      Chapter 6 Challenges
    • 8.17
      Chapter 6 Solutions
  • Chapter 7. Navigating with Infrared Headlights
    14
    • 9.0
      Chapter 7. Navigating with Infrared Headlights
    • 9.1
      Infrared Light Signals
    • 9.2
      Activity 1: Build and Test the Object Detectors
    • 9.3
      Object Detection Test Code
    • 9.4
      Activity 2: Field Testing
    • 9.5
      Sniffing for IR Interference
    • 9.6
      Activty 3: Detection Range Adjustments
    • 9.7
      Activity 4: Object Detection and Avoidance
    • 9.8
      Activity 5: High-performance IR Navigation
    • 9.9
      Activity 6: Drop-off Detector
    • 9.10
      Example Sketch: AvoidTableEdge
    • 9.11
      Chapter 7 Summary
    • 9.12
      Chapter 7 Challenges
    • 9.13
      Chapter 7 Solutions
  • Chapter 8. Robot Control with Distance Detection
    11
    • 10.0
      Chapter 8. Robot Control with Distance Detection
    • 10.1
      Activity 1: Testing the Frequency Sweep
    • 10.2
      Displaying Both Distances
    • 10.3
      Activity 2: BOE Shield-Bot Shadow Vehicle
    • 10.4
      A Look Inside Proportional Control
    • 10.5
      Example Sketch: FollowingShieldBot
    • 10.6
      Follow the Leader
    • 10.7
      Activity 3: What’s Next?
    • 10.8
      Chapter 8 Summary
    • 10.9
      Chapter 8 Challenges
    • 10.10
      Chapter 8 Solutions

Activity 1: Download and Install the Software

Get the Example Code

Arduino programs are called sketches.  If you type in all of the example sketches by hand, you’ll develop your programming skills faster. But, sometimes it’s helpful to have tested sketches on hand for troubleshooting circuts or finding bugs. So, all of the complete sketches are provided for your use below.

  • Download the Shield-Bot Arduino code
  • Save the file to your desktop, and un-zip it before trying to use the sketches in it.

 

If this is your first time working with the Arduino system, you will need to set up a programming software option: Arduino IDE, Arduino Web Editor, or Codebender : edu.

Getting Started with the Arduino Web Editor

  • In your Chrome browser, go to the Arduino website’s Getting Started with the Web Editor page.
  • Follow the directions for creating an account, if you do not already have one. If you are under 18 you will need your parent or guardian’s assistance. If you are part of a class, ask your teacher for guidance.
  • Follow the directions for installing the Create Agent plugin.

 

Getting Started with the Arduino IDE Software

Arduino IDE software and drivers install on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. You do not need to be online to use it.

  • Go to to the www.arduino.cc site’s Getting Started page.
  • Follow their instructions to install the Arduino Desktop IDE for your operating system.

 

Getting Started with Codebender : edu

Codebender : edu is an online programming tool that works on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook, in a Chrome or Firefox browser session. You need to install a browser plug-in and drivers, and be online to use it. Registration for an account that may be shared in a classroom is required.

  • Follow this link to https://edu.codebender.cc and scroll down to obtain a subscription.
  • Follow their instructions for registering a new account.
  • From your account URL, find the link to the required browser plug-in options. You may have to scroll down in the third field from the left, until you see the “Learn more” link,
  • Follow the link, and then select the codebender app for your browser and operating system.

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