Materials required
- Using the servomotors slides
- Otto Starter robot or only the circuit board with the servomotors
- Computers with internet and/or bluetooth connection
Learning Objectives
- Identify the key components of a robot and explain their functions.
- Recognize robotic systems in everyday life and be able to reason about how they help.
- Write and upload programs that control the robot.
- Modify an existing program to add new functionality to the robot.
- Identify the problem to be solved and develop a plan to address it using the Otto robot components.
- Work effectively in a small group to design, build and/or code a robot.
- Create a project that combines robotics with another creative discipline.
Understanding servomotors
Start the lesson by explaining to students that the activity of the day will consist on exploring the capability of Otto to move around.
In slide 3 and 4 there is a simple explanation about the servomotors and how they work. Feel free to expand this explanation with your own resources.
Activity: exploring motion blocks
Begin the activities with free exploration. Students will test each of the assigned motion blocks, paying special attention to the parameters that can be modified (forward/backward, left/right, normal/slow/fast, number of steps).
Students can use the activity sheets to explain in their own words how each block works.
These are the blocks to explore (with a basic description of their function):
Moves both robot motors forward or backward a set number of steps at slow, normal, or fast speed.
Moves both robot motors forward or backward at slow, normal, or fast speed for an indefinite amount of time.
Rotates the robot on its axis to the left or right for a set number of steps.
Stops the motors. You can stop a single motor (right or left) or both motors at the same time.
This exploration can be completed in about 5–10 minutes. The idea is for students to gain a basic understanding of how to move their robot to complete the upcoming activities.
Other available blocks basically allow the same type of movement as the previous ones but control a specific motor (either the one on the robot’s left side or the one on the right side). You may notice that two of the blocks seem repeated, but upon closer reading, the reason is that two blocks work for the left motor and the other two for the right motor.
Activity: creating geometric patterns
Challenge students to move their Ottos in such a way that they “draw” basic geometric shapes (square, rectangle, triangle, and circle) with their movements using the motion blocks they explored in the previous lesson.
In the file 11-1_geometry-figures.otto you can find a basic code example to draw a square, rectangle, and triangle using Otto’s movements.
Note: You may need to adjust the movement values to achieve accurate shapes. Factors such as the surface where the robot is placed or how tightly the motor screws are fastened can affect the results. Use this file as a reference.
For the circle, the easiest way to create it is by moving one of the motors forward for a duration that allows the robot to describe a full circle.
Extension of this activity
A possible extension is attaching a pencil to Otto with the tip touching a sheet of paper and making it move to draw the geometric shapes on the paper. For this activity, students need additional materials such as: a sheet of paper (preferably A3 or larger than standard sheets), a pencil, tape, or a 3D-printed piece to hold the pencil (you can check the “Pen holder” attachment available at https://hprobots.com/otto-robot/create/).
Activity: the perfect parking
Students must park their robot precisely in a marked space. Mark two zones on the floor with tape or other materials: a starting zone and a parking zone. The parking zone should be only slightly larger than Otto itself to add difficulty.
You can use these “success criteria” to gamify the activity:
- Level 1 (Beginner): Otto reaches the parking zone.
- Level 2 (Driver): Otto stops completely within the zone.
- Level 3 (Expert): Otto performs a maneuver with turns to avoid an obstacle and parks perfectly.
Activity: choreographies with Otto
In groups, students must create a dance routine or expressive movement sequence for Otto lasting about 15 seconds. You can either provide specific music that all groups must “choreograph” to for those 15 seconds, or allow students to freely choose the music.
Lesson Evaluation
- Students successfully tested the blocks in the Motion section of the Word Blocks app to control the servomotors.
- Students were able to explain how the motion blocks work, demonstrating their understanding of motor control.
- Students effectively applied their knowledge to solve practical challenges, such as creating geometric patterns and precision parking, by adjusting and refining their programs.
- Students demonstrated computational thinking skills and teamwork by designing, programming, and presenting creative and synchronized choreographies with their robots.
- The teacher confirmed that students understand the practical applications of using servomotors in robotics through the variety of activities performed.
- The lesson objectives were achieved, and students demonstrated competence in using Otto’s servomotors to control movement in both basic and creative ways.
