Robots and Physical Computing

Taken from:  https://www.northampton.ac.uk/news/robots-fruit-and-computer-coding-sixth-formers-get-a-taste-of-university-research/  by University of Northampton Press Team A select group of sixth-form pupils has spent the summer working on a series of research projects at the University of Northampton. Four pupils from Northampton and Kettering schools undertook projects involving robotics, coding and urban orchards after each were awarded a  Nuffield Research Placement  – a scheme which offers sixth formers the chance to work on university research projects. David Obreja, from Northampton School for Boys, spent his time at the University researching the amount of fruit-bearing plants and trees in areas of Northampton, and mapping them on a computer. He said: “We need more fruit-bearing plants and trees in the town to provide food for wildlife, encourage biodiversity and improve the aesthetics of urban areas. I hope my research might encourage residents ...

This year the Computing team has been fortunate enough to host three Nuffield Research Placement students ( https://www.nuffieldresearchplacements.org/ ) all working with Dr Scott Turner. Michael Welsh Michael has been working on using a  micro:bit based bitbot from 4tronix  to produce a potential teaching tool; an example of artificial neurons used control a robot. The aim is for this tool to be used with 3rd-year Undergraduates, as part of a module on Artificial Intelligence. Michael's solution was to use the computer to run and train a single neuron; then for the robot to send values from the line sensors back to the program running on a Computer and receive control signals.  Sounds easy? No really, in the end, the software running on the computer had to also send and receive the data through a microbit (via USB) and then use radio to communicate with the bit:bot robot. All the various developed part...

Guest Blogger Nathaniel Roberts, Nuffield Research Placement Student working at the University of Northampton. Nuffield Research Placement scheme provides students in their first year of a post16 course to work with STEM professionals  http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements . Toilet Roll Junkbot Nathaniel Roberts Cut a slit in a toilet roll. Cut another toilet roll in half, then arrange the pieces in a T. Feed the bottom of the T into the slit, and tape together. Cut two lines into the edge, and do the same on the opposite side of the circle. Copy this for the other side of the tube. These geared motors from the Camjam EduKit 3 should fit into those gaps. Stick a battery pack to the back, and use crocodile clips to wire it all up to a crumble. The battery pack can connect to the + and - on either side at the top of the crumble, and the motors connect to the + and - of their respective sides of the crumble. Using a M...

Guest Blogger Hiren Mistry, Nuffield Research Placement Student working at the University of Northampton. Nuffield Research Placement scheme provides students in their first year of a post16 course to work with STEM professionals  http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements . How to use Minecraft to move a USB Robot Arm on a Raspberry Pi By Hiren Mistry Currently, I am taking part in a Nuffield Foundation Research Placement at the University of Northampton, researching how to control a CBIS Robot Arm using a Raspberry Pi. This part of the project aims to learn more about using Python in Minecraft and how I can control the Robot Arm using Minecraft. When the player hits a specific block, the Robot Arm will move in a specific way. Minecraft is an adventure game where players are put in a randomly-generated world and can create their own structures and contraptions out of textured cubes. Here are the main commands used in Python for Minecraft Pi: ...