Using VexVR, we explore the fundamentals of robotics design

1. Introduction
to Robotics

2. Icebreaker
Prep for Exercises
Introduction
What is a Robot?
What is Robotics?
How Do You Design a Robot?
Robots &
Robotics What is VexVR?
Challenges
Exercises
Agenda

3. TJ Bot (Or How I
Learned About
Robotics)
https://www.research.ibm.com/tjbot/

4. - Your name
- If you were building
a real robot today,
what would you
build it to do?
Icebreaker

5. A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I
enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for
the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere
tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the
present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
Prep for exercises
Verbally ask or use Zoom chat!
A s k q u e s t i o n s !
Helps when working through exercises
T o o l s f o r N o t e t a k i n g
Go to https://vr.vex.com
Recommended Browsers: Edge, Chrome, FireFox, Safari
Close out of other programs
V e x V R

6. What is the first thing
that comes to your
mind when you think
about robots?
Quick
Question…

7. A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire
soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with
my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of
existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of
souls like mine..
Simple
What is a Robot?
• A machine capable of carrying out a series of actions – both simple and
complex
• Characteristics
• Move
• Sense
• Energy
• Intelligence (although largely because of humans)

8. A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire
soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with
my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of
existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of
souls like mine..
Simple
What is Robotics?
• Field of study and practice that explores all elements in the creation or improvement
of robots
• Design
• Programming
• Construction
• Testing
• Requires a blend of skills, both technical and non-technical
• Math and science
• Programming
• Communications
• Working with other
• Problem solving
• Creative thinking
Dr. Ayanna Howard
Roboticist; Educator

9. Presentation
Robotic
Let’s Check Out VexVr!

10. What is VexVR?
• Virtual environment to learn introductory robotics programming and design
• Block-based and text-based coding
• Block – code comes in “drag and drop” boxes; instructions for robot
within
• Text – you write out all commands and instructions
• Free to use

11. Challenge #1
Walk me through how would I move the virtual
robot from the position in the first picture to the
position in the second picture?

12. Challenge #2
Draw a square or rectangle, and return the robot
as close to the starting position as possible,
without additional any pen marks.