Presentation delivered during the Karel Comenius project meeting, Katerini, 12 - 19.10.2014

1. Test conformance of robotic
platform to specifications
Mihai Agape, Project Coordinator
Palatul Copiilor Drobeta Turnu Severin
KAREL, Comenius Project Meeting
Katerini, 12-19.10.2014

2.  This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission.
 This communication reflects the views only of the
authors, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.

3. The Purpose of the
Presentation
Review the specifications for
Karel robotic platform
Check the conformance of
robotic platform to
specifications (if it is possible)

4. Karel
Mechanical Specification
 Able to climb a surface with a 30 % slope
 Maximum speed more than 0.5 m/s
 The footprint smaller than 12 x 12 cm
 Height less than 10 cm
 Weight less than 250 g
 Payload 250 g
 2 wheels
 1 or 2 ball caster
 2 DC brushed gearmotors which drive
independently both wheels.

5. Optional
 1 slot for a felt pen in the center of the robot
base
 2 incremental encoders.
 1 robot gripper

6. Karel
Mechanical Specifications

7. Electrical Specification
 Battery autonomy > 2 hours (move 15 %)
 Operating voltage 6 – 9 V
 Reverse voltage protection circuit
 Regulated supply voltage 5 V
 Voltage shifter for components with suplply
voltage not equal with 5V
 MOSFET IC drivers (current at least 1.2 A)
 Microcontroller >16 kB flash, fcpu>8 MHz
 Controller PC communication via USB

8. Electrical Specification
 2 bumper sensors
 4 user programmable pushbuttons / switches
 8 infrared optical sensors
 ambient light
 obstacle detection
 line detection
 4 LED’s
 1 servomotor

9. Optional
 1 potentiometer
 1 microphone
 1 speaker
 2 encoders
 1 ultrasonic sensor
 1 color sensor
 Arduino compatible
 Controller PC communication via Bluetooth
 TV remote receiver

10. Karel
Electrical Specifications

11. Karel
Input Devices

12. Karel
Output Devices

13. Challenges
 Follows the light
 Follows the wall
 Follows a moving object in front of the robot
 Avoids obstacles
 Follow the line
 Fight in sumo contest
 Escape from a line maze
 Escape from a maze with walls
 Draw with a marker attached to the robot
 Breaks ballons of one color

14. Karel Challenges

15. Other Requirements
 Software Specification
 Open Source software
 Financial Constraint
 Price of raw material less than 99 EUR
 Environment
 Indoor use
 Low noise (no audible from 10 m)

16. Karel
Other Specifications

17. Lesson Plans
 Pupils aged from 12 to 19 years old
 At least 21 lesson plans
 At least 2 lesson plans for each field
 Physics
 Biology
 Programming
 Mechanics
 Electronics
 Robotics

18. Karel Curriculum

19. Bibliography
 Agape, Mihai. Agape, Maria-Genoveva.
“KAREL Specifications”, agreed in Karel
Project Meeting, held at Beypazari on 10–
16.11.2013. http://sdrv.ms/170NTak

20. Questions?