T2W1: Introduction to VEX Robotics

Welcome to the second term of STEMörgåsbord - the STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) elective!  This term we will be exploring the VEX Robotics IQ kits that are in the FabLab, and building and programming our own robot companions.  Each student will have their own kit to work with for the duration of the term.

I have been reading up on them but I don't have a lot of hands-on experience yet, so we will be learning together.  After making sure everything works and is updated, we will start by building their basic remote controlled car robot, to get a feel for how the parts go together.  But after that, everyone is welcome to figure out their own projects.  Robot kits like this are often used in games and competitions but I think the fun of robots like this is we can make them do anything we want.  We can add personality to the standard VEX kit or go off in a totally new direction, and I will do my best to support your efforts and make it happen.

This week we will work on getting the controller and brain updated and talking to each other, and start on the mechanical parts for the basic 4 wheeled robot.

Here is the step-by-step guide to putting the robot together: IQ Build Instructions   I also have B/W printed versions for each person to keep - might be easier to pick the right part on the actual-size printouts.

Robot of the Week

Each week I will find a quick video of a different robot companion, to help inspire your own creations.  This week is Odd Jayy (Jorvon Moss) who has done a whole series of shoulder-mounted companions:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjQ1RbKDQtm