So because I am the science teacher one of my students is telling me about this robot that he is building. Ok so I listen and not too sure how serious to take him. He is a great student so it gets me thinking. I ask if it is a kit that he bought, "no I am in a robot club". A CLUB? WOW, that is cool. Now I remember when they had the "Model Club" in The Pas that was held in the basement of the Kinsman building but THIS sounded waaaaaay cooler. No offense Bitton. So I ask a few questions about this club and he says, "Mr, do you want to come with me tonight?" Ummm yeah I do! "Give me your phone number and my driver will pick you up at maybe 5 or 5:30, something like this." Awesome, and he did. We arrived to his very excited instructor. Having a member's Science Teacher in the room is exactly what these guys love to see. After some welcoming drinks, a 7-up and cup of tea, I was given a full tour of the place. He showed me the robot that he is working on and it was pretty cool... for a 12 yr old to build. It didn't look like "Robot Wars" on Discovery Channel or anything but the coolest part was what you can get them to do. In fact, the robots are actually a kit that is made by Lego. But it is a line of Lego that is quite advanced. His instructor showed me how to program it using the "easy to follow software." It was actually quite incredible how you can program it to react to your voice commands and completely program it to drive, or walk (using multiple sensors), any route that you design. So I asked if I could make one and the instructors reply was, in short, "it is only for Kuwaiti little ones." Damn... I hate being a grown up. Here are some pictures of the joint.
This was the classroom he worked in
box of parts ready to build anything you want
Easy to use much like Meccano sets
This was his that he made. It is quite unfinished still
The eyes are speakers for him to talk back to you. Right arm is a touch sensor. Left arm is a mic for him to sense your voice commands and away he goes.
This was a cool scorpion that picks things up in its claws and has a light sensor for a tail
1 comment:
I have fond memories of Model Club in the basement of the Kinsman club. I think an old huge camaro model is still in my parents basement. It doesn't talk or move on its own, but the chicks dig a Camaro.
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