Hillside ElementarySoftware/Robotics Projects

How to Start a Software-Based Project

Project Phases:

REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN

DEVELOPMENT

TEST

DEMONSTRATE

PLANNING

Purpose: Why are you doing the project? Customer:

◦ Who are you doing the project for? ◦ Who determines if your project meets the purpose & goals?

Goals & Objectives: What are you trying to accomplish?

Tools: ◦ What type of software, if any?◦ What kinds of building materials are needed?

Team Members: Who will help you with the project? Budget: What will it cost to accomplish your

project? Schedule: When does the project need to be

completed?

Project Phases: Planning

What is your “creation” required to do?◦ Be specific (Talk through examples.)◦ Define Assumptions (Talk through examples.)

Discuss requirements with your customer. Are there any safety concerns? Document Requirements: Be able to write

requirements and assumption down.◦ Have peers review and give suggestions.◦ Customer should be able to agree to your

‘requirements document’.

Project Phases: Requirements

Software◦ Write pseudo-code.

Break project down into single-action steps. Be able to write these down.

◦ Peer review: submit your review to someone else to review for mistakes and/or suggestions.

Hardware◦ Document Design: Make a drawing or draft a

document explaining design.◦ Verify measurements.◦ Define materials to be used

Re-design: Update design based on new requirements or software/hardware limitations.

Project Phases: Design

Software◦ Write Source Code

Translate pseudo-code into software programming language. We are using Lego’s NXT software.

◦ Simulate Code: some software tools allow this◦ Integrate software (code) with hardware interface (Lego

computer) Hardware

◦ Gather Materials.◦ Start building!◦ Update drawings to make them match your hardware

creation. Re-Design: Update design based on new

requirements or software/hardware limitations.

Project Phases: Development

Peer Review: Have someone else review your “creation” to make sure it meets requirements.

Try out your “creation.” Grade your “creation”

◦ What does work?◦ What does not work?◦ What works, but could be better?

Re-Design: Update design based on test notes.

Project Phases: Test

Present design to customer.◦ Demonstrate your “creation” in action.◦ Use Presentation Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint Slides Poster Boards Microsoft Word report booklets Others?

◦ Highlight strengths.◦ Discuss Shortcomings honestly.

Why your project may not meet original requirements. Stay positive.

◦ Provide Support Materials Drawings User Manuals Test Data

Have fun with it. Let the customer take you out for Ice Cream!

Project Phases: Demonstrate

Project Phases:

REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN

DEVELOPMENT

TEST

DEMONSTRATE

PLANNING

Pseudo-Code◦ Break project down into smaller tasks.◦ Break smaller tasks down into single-action steps.

Assign a value (assign sound file). Detect a sensor. Make a decision (if-then-else) Repeat an action or sequence (do-while loop)

◦ Be able to write these down. Example:

◦ Project: Robot drives straight and turns right to avoid object.

DESIGN PHASE: SOFTWARE

Drawings◦ Take measurements.◦ Define materials to be used.◦ Determine quantities for materials based on size

of design.◦ Sketch design with pencil and paper.◦ Can list all materials & quantities on drawing.◦ Can list any notes on drawing.◦ Can refine drawing with computer tools.◦ Drawings can be more than 1 page.

Example Drawing:

DESIGN PHASE: HARDWARE

DESIGN PHASE: HARDWARE

12 INCH

8 INCH

8 INCH

2 INCH

2 INCH RADIUS

NOTES:1. Do not glue

Legos together.

2. Color can be different.

MATERIAL LIST:(LOTS) LEGOS (4) WHEELS(1)MOTOR(2) SENSORS

RUBBLE TROUBLE INITIAL CHALLENGE:

1. Choose 1 of the 2 challenges. 2. A 3-dimensional picture of the game board has been provided to give you

an idea about what it will look like in real life.3. ROBO refers to the robot, for the sake of these challenges.4. Your design should include an explanation or drawing that includes the

following:1. Which sensors you are using to navigate ROBO.2. The attachments you would build to complete the challenge that you

choose.5. Your pseudo-code can be either hand-written or typed.6. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND GRADE ON YOUR DESIGN PACKET.7. Your design packet is due on Tuesday, October 29 to Mrs. Garland.

RUBBLE TROUBLE GAME BOARD:

RUBBLE TROUBLE, CHALLENGE #1:

ROBO

1. Navigate ROBO from its starting location to the bottom-left corner of the game board by following the red arrows.

2. Once ROBO is in front of the red box, hang an object of your design on the wall of the game board at the location designated by the red box. (The object MUST hang on the wall, i.e. be fully supported by the wall.)

3. This is to simulate a robot hanging a portable antenna in a high location above a rescue sight to improve communication links.

RUBBLE TROUBLE, CHALLENGE #2:

ROBO

1. Navigate ROBO from its starting location to the bottom-left corner of the game board by following the red arrows.

2. Once ROBO has reached the yellow box, ROBO is to move up the game board relocating all red and black game-pieces into a pile located inside the purple box.

3. This is to simulate a robot clearing rubble from a damaged building.

4. The student should include a drawing of the device the robot uses to collect/move the game pieces.