Technology Concept Connections
Academic Concept Integration Opportunities While Working with Robots
How to Use this Document
This document is designed to point out linkages between commonly encountered situations in
classroom robotics, and applicable Science, Math, Technology, or Communications content and
skills. These are intended to be illustrative only; the actual breadth of opportunities is much
wider, thanks to the extensible nature of robotics and rich interconnectedness of information
surrounding the field.
Robotics Situation or Task
Academic Concept
On the left is a description of a situation
commonly encountered while working on a
robotics engineering project.
On the right is a description of one or more
academic concepts that are central to the
success of the robot in the given situation.
In some cases, specific topics from lessons in
the Robotics Engineering Vol. 2 are discussed.
Technology concepts applied when working with Robots
Engineering design is a route of technological design that teaches through action. Instead of
being told that certain things are important, students will experience firsthand the need for
interdisciplinary cooperation, the many connected aspects of a system, and the extent to which
technology defines the world around them.
Situation or Activity
Evaluating the context for creation
of a robotic solution to a problem
Technology Concepts Experienced
Technology and Society
• Robot impact on society
• Role of the robot
• Expected and unexpected consequences of robotic
development
• Impact on jobs (jobs created – jobs replaced)
The Purpose of Technology
• Designed to do a job
• Must do the job under real-world constraints
• Time and money matter
Designed for use with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT Software and Base Set #9797
© Copyright 2006 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
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Assuming diverse roles, both
technical and nontechnical, to
complete planning and building
tasks
Teamwork skills
• Cooperative learning
• Differentiated roles and specialization
Career preparation
• Administration
• Sales
• Marketing
• Engineering
• Programming
• Technician
• Entrepreneur
Task division in preparation to
assign work among team
members
Parallel development of
hardware, software, and support
systems
Developing a robot from start to
finish, including:
• Research
• Conceptualization
• Prototyping
• Iterative improvement
Programming the robot to perform
complex tasks, or several such
tasks
Achieving a complex and
challenging goal in a limited
amount of time
Systems
The concept of systems – Motors (output), Controller,
Sensors (input, feedback), Program, Mechanical
elements
Modern technological systems
• Hardware
• Software
• Integration
Engineering process model
• Research-Plan-Prototype-Test-Commercialize
• Form follows function
• Design tradeoffs (Drive train design, sensor
integration, motor choices, remote vs. autonomous)
• Testing & Revision
Control
• Behaviors
• Timers
• Wait states
• Conditional statements
• Loops
• Bluetooth
Project management
• Time management/scheduleing
• Resource allocation/budgeting
• Systems analysis
• Information accessing
Designed for use with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT Software and Base Set #9797
© Copyright 2006 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
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Selecting sensors for a design:
• How sensors work mathematical and scientific
principles behind sensor
design
• Type of feedback
• Designing sensor
• Application
Writing reports, proposals, logs,
or internal documents
• Plans and Timelines
• Written reports
• Digital multimedia
• Presentation
Individual project themes:
• Mining
• Security
• Horticulture
Common sensor types and applications
• Touch
• Light
• Encoder
• Ultrasound
• Infrared
• Sound
Communication skills
• Technical writing
• Apply communication technologies such as
multimedia slideshows
Technology and Industry
• Safety
• Cost-effectiveness
• Many industries can benefit from robotics technology
Technology and the Environment
Designed for use with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT Software and Base Set #9797
© Copyright 2006 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
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