Overview

Build a Raspberry Pi and ROS (Robot Operating System) controlled smart robot car with an attached robot arm and articulated camera!

By the end of this course, each student will have built their own wifi-connected smart vehicle controlled by a ROS enabled raspberry pi programmed by the students themselves. The robot arm with camera built in Part 1 will be integrated into the vehicle to make a full mobile manipulator robot. By the end of this session, each student will:

Learn about motor controllers, motor drivers to directly control motors instead of integrated servos
Fundamentals of ROS and how it is used to integrate different systems together into one cohesive unit
Different battery types, connectors, wiring, construction techniques and where and how to buy parts
Python programming, and interfacing with Arduino and other IOT devices and sensors will be covered in detail.
Deeper dive into understanding differences between various robotics sectors, including robotic toys, hobbyist, consumer vs industrial segments.
Each student will receive brand-new hardware and non-shared equipment.

Each student will receive a box of supplies upon arrival (or via mail for distance learning), containing the components necessary to build a smart car as well as additional elements for self-learning and exploration. Attending the additional courses on C++ programming will also equip a student with the knowledge needed for extending their robot's intelligence with all the remaining sensors and tools in the box.

Distance Learning

Kits are mailed to attendees several days in advance. Each mailed kit also contains a special webcam that allows the instructor to see a close-up view of your build in real-time and render assistance and supervision identically to in-person students.

Social Distancing Policy For In-Person classes

We are taking the utmost care to ensure a maximally safe setup. The sessions are designed for individual learning and not group activity.

A mask is mandatory at all times with nose and mouth securely covered
No more than 8 students per session, with 8ft distancing between every individual desk
Gloves, hand sanitizer, lysol wipes will be provided on every desk
Desks and chairs will be completely wiped down between sessions
The same desk will be reassigned to the same child on consecutive days
Extra cross-ventilation forced air through back to front of building to ensure constant fresh air

Prerequisites

You must attend Part 1 before attending this course since the kit (and knowledge) provided in this course build upon the components (and knowledge) provided in Part 1.

What To Bring

Each student must bring his/her own Mac, Windows or Linux laptop with sufficient free disk space, and administrative rights to install Python, Arduino IDE and other necessary utilities. If you have a newer Mac or Windows laptop with only USB-C ports, you must remember to bring a USB-C to USB-female adapter so you can connect the Arduino to your laptop.

Build A ROS Enabled Mobile Manipulator Robot - Part 2