The Traffic Robot in the Smart City
Students create a robot that must navigate a “smart city” by following a path and interacting with city features, such as traffic lights, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossings. The robot must recognize traffic signals and avoid obstacles, following the correct path through the city.
Objectives:
01
To enable students to understand the basic principles of intelligent transportation and the operation of traffic systems.
02
Learn how robotics can be used to improve traffic in cities and reduce accidents.
03
Develop skills in programming robots to interact with traffic signals and obstacles.
Materials:
Makerzoid Programmable Toys Robot Master Set, 200-in-1 Coding Robot Kit
Map with "smart city"
with traffic signals, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
Programming software (Scratch/Blockly)
for programming the robot.
Duration:
Course Duration:
1.5 - 2 hours
Robot Construction Duration:
30 minutes
Duration of Programming and Testing:
45 - 60 minutes
Instructions for the Instructor:
1. Introduction to Intelligent Transportation (10 minutes)
Purpose:
To help students understand the concept of smart cities and traffic systems.
What to do:
- Start with a short presentation on smart cities and the technologies used to manage traffic (e.g., automatically adjusting traffic lights, traffic monitoring systems).
- Discuss the importance of proper traffic signals and traffic lights in preventing accidents and facilitating movement in the city.
2. Building the Robot (30 minutes):
Purpose:
Have students build their robot, which should be able to interact with the "smart city".
What to do:
- Give students the Makerzoid kit and guide them through the process of building the robot. The goal is for the robot to be able to move forward, backward, and interact with traffic signals and traffic lights.
- Ensure that the robot has the ability to turn when it encounters obstacles or when traffic lights change.
3. Programming the Robot (45 - 60 minutes)
Purpose:
Program the robot to follow the path of the "smart city" and interact with traffic signals.
What to do:
1. Programming the robot to move: Start by programming the robot to move forward and backward using “go forward” and “stop” commands.
2. Interacting with traffic signals: Program the robot to recognize the red light and stop, and the green light to continue.
3. Obstacle Avoidance: Teach students how to program the robot to avoid obstacles (e.g., people or other vehicles) and
turns when needed.
4. Testing: Once the robot is ready, ask students to test it in the “smart city” and see if it follows the correct path.
course, whether it stops at red lights and whether it avoids obstacles.
4. Activity: Smart City Tour (15 minutes)
Purpose:
Have students apply their knowledge in practice.
What to do:
- Create a path on the floor that includes traffic signals, traffic lights, and obstacles (e.g., obstacles representing pedestrians or other vehicles).
- Ask students to program their robot to follow this route, taking into account traffic lights,
signals and obstacles.
- Students should monitor the progress and point out any errors or difficulties they encounter, adjusting their planning accordingly.
5. Discussion and Feedback (10 minutes)
Purpose:
To make students reflect on the importance of traffic and urban mobility.
What to do:
- Discuss with students the importance of traffic signals and traffic lights in everyday life.
- Show how modern cities use technology to
improve traffic and reduce accidents.
- Explain how robotics can help create intelligent traffic management systems.
Conclusions:
Students will understand the importance of traffic and urban mobility, as well as the application of technology to improve these systems.
They will learn to program the robot to interact with traffic signals, traffic lights, and obstacles in the city.
The activity enhances creativity and problem solving through the use of robotics.
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