What is PILOT?
PILOT is the introductory programming phase of ROBOLAB. It uses program templates from which students click and choose icons to customize their programs. Based on sequential programming, in PILOT it is impossible to create a program that will fail.
Within PILOT there are four levels. Level 1 is the most basic with level 4 being the most flexible. Building on each other, the levels make it easy for students to become familiar with the available ROBOLAB options before progressing to the next stage.
All ROBOLAB programs begin with a green traffic light and end with a red traffic light. All PILOT programming templates have the green and red traffic light in them. The icons of the PILOT programming template are wired together with the pink wire that is already there.
Sample PILOT Program
This PILOT 1 will turn the motor on port A in the reverse direction for 4 seconds. After 4 seconds the output will stop.
To change a command, simply click the icon you want to change. When the command options appear, click the new icon to make it part of the program.
To download a program to the RCX, turn the RCX on, position it in front of the IR tower and click the Run Arrow. This sends the program through the computer port to the IR Transmitter and to the RCX. To execute the program, click the green Run Button on the RCX.
Pilot Programming: Student Worksheet 1.
Names _
Program your robot to do each of the following:
Task Teacher
Signature
Pilot 2
(1 point for completing all 5 tasks)
1. The Robot should move forward for 2 seconds, then stop.
2. The robot should move backwards for 4 seconds, then stop.
3. The robot should spin to the right for 1 second then stop.
4. The robot should spin to the left for 2 seconds then stop.
5. The robot should move forwards for 1.5 seconds then stop.
Pilot 3
(2 points for completing all 5 tasks)
1. The robot should move forward for 2 seconds at power level 4, then move backward at power level 3 for 2 seconds, then stop.
2. The robot should move forwards for 0.5 seconds at full power, then backwards for 0.5 seconds at full power. Looped indefinitely. (the pink icon in the middle of the screen)
3. The robot should move with Motor A on power level 5 and Motor C on power level 2 for 4 seconds.
4. Can you draw a perfect circle and stop where you started. Adjust the “Wait for Time “ (question mark) logo until you get it right.
5. Can you draw a perfect figure of 8 and stop exactly where you started?
Pilot 4
(2 points for completing all 5 tasks)
1. The gear change. The robot should move forward at power level 1 for 1 seconds, then move forward at power level 2 for 1 second, then move forward at power level 3 for 1 second, then move forward at power level 4 for 1 second, then move forward at power level 5 for 3 seconds, then stop.
2. Can you get your robot to start with its front on the start line and get it to travel 2m and stop on top of the finish line?
3. Can you draw a perfect square with your robot?
4. Dancing Robot. Get your robot to move forwards and backwards at full power for .5 seconds and then turn right for .5 seconds and left for .5 seconds. Loop 10 times
5. Slalom. Can you be the fastest robot to negotiate the slalom course that you teacher has set out on the floor. Best Times……… ……… ……… ……… ……… ……..
Total points
Pilot Programming Sensors: Student NXT Worksheet 2.
Names _
Program your robot to do each of the following:
Stop at a Line (1 point for completing a clean out and Mexican wave)
Robot Setup
The Robot needs to have one light sensor aiming downwards at the front and connected to Input Port 1.
Programming
Use Pilot 3 to tell the robot to go forward until it senses a darker surface on Sensor Port 1
Teacher Signature
Clean Out
Robots are to stay inside of a ring marked by dark tape. They are to sweep the ring until all of the poly styrene cups are pushed out of the ring.
Robot Setup
The Robot needs to have one light sensor aiming downwards and connected to Input Port 1.
Programming
Use Pilot 3 to direct the robot to go forward at power level 3 until it reaches a darker surface, The robot then turns around. Adjust the time under the “Wait For Time” so that the robot has the most efficient “Clean Out” Scan. This program is then looped using the pink loop icon in the middle of your screen
Best Clean Out Time ………………… Teacher Signature
Pilot Programming Sensors: Student NXT Worksheet 2 (cont)
Names _
Program your robot to do each of the following:
Mexican Wave
Program your robot to move forward when it detects the soccer ball in front of it
Robot Setup
The Robot needs to have one light sensor aiming forwards at the front and connected to Input Port 1.
Programming
Use Pilot 3 to direct the robot to stop until a lighter object, the ball is detected in front of it. The robot then move forward to chase the ball. Robots can do this side by side to make a Mexican Wave
Most Robots working in the wave …….. Teacher Signature
Pilot 4 Programming: Line Follower : Student NXT Worksheet 3
Names _
Program your robot to do each of the following:
Line Follower (2points for following the line to “Australia”
Robot Setup
The Robot needs to have one light sensor aiming downwards at the front left hand side and connected to Input Port 1. Motor A needs to be on the left hand side of the robot
Calibration
Using the View option on your NXT, record the values for the light and dark readings in the left and right columns in the table below.
Add 3 to the dark reading and take 3 from the light reading and record the answers in the inside columns.
Dark Area
Reading Dark Area +3
Light Area -3
Light Area
Reading
Programming
Use the added and subtracted values in the Pilot 4 Program below
Use the Dark Area +3 reading in step 1 and the Light Area – 3 reading in step 2
Place the robot on the left hand side of the line and push Run. The robot will snake its way on and off the edge of the line. Change motor speeds and move the position of your sensor forward and backwards to negotiate the Rescue course as quickly as possible.
Best Time …….. Teacher Signature
Pilot 4 Programming: Soccer Player: Student NXT Worksheet 4
Names _
Program your robot to do each of the following:
Simplest Soccer Player (1 point for the simplest robot soccer player)
Robot Setup
A single light sensor is plugged in to Input Port 1, but this time it is aiming forwards.
Calibration
Find the maximum light reading of the room using the View function on the NXT. The robot is placed in the centre of the field and turned 360 degrees. The maximum reading is recorded.
Any Infra Red source that creates a reading higher than this can only be the ball.
This reading plus 2% is placed in the program below. This tells the robot to spins slowly until it sees the ball and then chases it.
Maximum Light Reading Light Reading +2
Programming
The calibration reading plus 2% is placed in the program below. This tells the robot to spin slowly until it sees the ball and then chases it for 1 sec.
If a robot chases when the ball is not there, the light sensor setting should be increased.
If a robot cannot see the ball, the light sensor setting should be reduced.
…….. Goals Kicked Teacher Signature
