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91.450 Lab 1: Intro to Handy Board and Handy Bug

Overview

This assignment has two parts:

1. Build a robot to carry the Handy Board.

2. Create an entry for the robot on the Invention Database (including a photograph).

In class, we will be learning about the Handy Board—its parts, where to plug in components, and how to program it. Next week, we will be using the Handy Board and the robot base that you build.

Part 1: The HandyBug

We will be using the Handy Bug 9719 described in Section 2.2.2 of Robotic Explorations (pages 50 – 71). Your assignment is to build the HandyBug robot. You may also design your own robot to carry the Handy Board.

Please note the following corrections for the HandyBug:

• p. 54, halfway down: 4 2x4 bricks listed (correctly) with incorrect picture (1x2 Technic beam). You need the 4 2x4 bricks, not the 1x2 Technic beam.

• p. 56, last item: 2 black rubber bands are listed. These are too small. Use 2 yellow rubber bands instead.

Various LEGO components are available. Please observe the following community standards for LEGO use:

• Please take what you only need so that the main bins don’t get unnecessarily depleted.

• If you’re building the HandyBug from the book’s plans, plastic organizer trays are available.

• Let me know by writing on the board if we need a particular part or parts; we have some funds for ordering stuff.

Please have a working HandyBug or your own equivalent ready for next Monday’s lab. In the lab, we will be programming the robot, so it’s important that your robot is ready to go.

Part 2: Invention Database

After building the robot, create an entry for it on the Invention Database. Give it a distinctive name other than (e.g.) “My HandyBug.”

Using the lab digital camera, take a photo of the robot (be creative—try a closeup at a weird angle) and upload it to the cube entry for the robot.

Michael Rosenblatt, the lead developer of the Invention Database, will visit the class to create accounts for everybody and answer and questions.

Grading

4 points for having a working robot, 2 points for having the Invention Database entry.