Vatebra Tech Hub launched its Robotics Program with a Summer Robotics Class in August 2019. They were taught the basics of robotics and were able to build robots using the LEGO Mindstorm kit and Tetris kit. They were also able to program the robots that they built using the LEGO Ev3 brain and micro controllers such as Arduino and Tetris Pulse. At the end of the program the students were given the task to build a robot that will solve a problem in Nigeria. The following robots were built by them;
1.) The Grim Gripper- a trash picking robot
This robot was built using the Tetrix kit and programmed using the Tetrix Pulse micro controller. The primary function of the robot is to pick up trash. It has two ultrasonic sensors, two dc motors, three servo motors and a number of parts. The ultrasonic sensors closer to the ground allows the robot identify objects on the ground that it can pick up and the other allows it avoid obstacles. The dc motors enable the robot move and the servos control the picking and dropping motion.
The robot is programmed such that it moves until an object on the ground is identified the first servo allows the gripper to move sideways in case the object is not directly in front of it. The second servo allows the gripper move vertically (up and down). The third servo is attached to the gripper and it controls the gripper pincers that grip the object.
Although not included since the robot is supposed to follow a predetermined path so a line sensor should be added.
2.) The Messenger Bot- an object carrying robot
This robot was built using the Tetrix kit and programmed using the Tetrix Pulse micro controller. The primary function of this robot is to transport objects from place to place along a predetermined path. It has one line sensor and two dc motors and a few parts. The line sensor allows this robot move from place to place along a line that serves as it’s path. The robot has a carriage that is used to carry these objects. This robot can be used to transport objects along the predetermined path.
3.) The AgroBot- a seed planting robot
This robot was also built using the Tetrix kit and programmed using the Tetrix Pulse micro controller. The primary function of the robot is to plant seeds into the ground. It has a line sensor, one dc motor, tho servo motors and a few parts. The robot is programmed such that after a particular distance it stops to plant the seed, this allows even seed planting and the desired distance is converted to revolutions which controls the motors. It moves along a line that serves as it’s path until it reaches the desired distance and stops. The first servo controls the toll that is used to scrape off the top coil and the second servo controls the seed bag that turns to pour the seed. It has a cover behind to cover the layer of soil that was previously removed.
4.) The Stair Climber- a stair climbing robot
This robot was built using the LEGO Mindstorm kit and programmed using the LEGO EV3 brain. The primary function of the robot is to climb stairs. The robot has a gyrosensor and a touch sensor, two dc motors, one steering motor and a considerable number of parts. The robot is programmed such that it moves until an object is directly in front of it, the upper part of it is carried upwards using gears and a track until it reaches the top of the stair and the lower part is pulled upwards using the same mechanism. This allows the robot climb flights of stairs.