Robotics and Programming

The Design Process

We had to make a mars lander that can withstand the rocky terrain. The first thing we did was research and look at the Sphero EDU website to gather ideas and information. Then we had a play around with the Sphero in groups, the Sphero is a really fun gadget to play with. We then had a group brainstorm on what materials/tools we needed to make a mars lander. This brainstorm included tires, suspension, 4K cameras, solar panels.

Mars

The bright color of mars is due to its iron-rich minerals in its surface. Mars is known to have the highest mountain and deepest valley in the whole solar system. Channels, valleys and gullies are all over Mars, and there is also no water only ice, Mars is very cold due to its distance from the sun and the average temperature is -80 Fahrenheit. The challenges a Mars lander would take on are the big rocks and tall mountains on mars. Mars has similar terrain as some places on Earth it has canyons, volcanoes, big rocks and dry places.

Using JavaScript with Sphero

Streaming

The JavaScript code that you input streams in real time between your device and the sphero using API and Sensor Data. The downside of streaming is that some commands you input are slower, for example, running a raw motor command of a sync raw motor(4095, 4095, 0.05)

Punctuation

JavaScript has punctuation rules just like us humans, these rules are very specific so the robot can understand and interpret the action it needs to do. Yesterday we used the drag and drop method on the sphero, this was easy to use and understand and takes little time to learn the basics. I also used a coordinate that was hero.moveRight, I used this code on CodeCombat with JavaScript.