Thames & Kosmos 620380 Experiment Manual

EXPERIMENT MANUAL

Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizerstr. 5-7, 70184 Stuttgart, Germany | [phone] | www.kosmos.de
Thames & Kosmos, 301 Friendship St., Providence, RI, 02903, USA | 1-800-587-2872 | www.thamesandkosmos.com
Thames & Kosmos UK LP, 20 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3HE, UK | 01580 713000 | www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk

› › › SAFETY INFORMATION

Safety Information

WARNING. Only for use by children aged 8 years and older.

Instructions for parents or other supervising adults are included
and have to be observed. Keep packaging and instructions as they
contain important information.

WARNING. Not suitable for children under 3 years. Choking hazard
— small parts may be swallowed or inhaled.
Store the experiment material and assembled models out of the
reach of small children.

WARNING. Do not aim at eyes or face.
Never launch heavy, sharp-pointed, or sharp-edged objects.

Safety for Experiments with
Batteries

››› The wires are not to be inserted into socket-outlets. Never

perform experiments using household current! The high voltage
can be extremely dangerous or fatal!

››› To operate the models, you will need three AA baeries (1.5-

volt, type AA/LR6) or three AA rechargeable baeries (1.2-volt,
type AA, HR6/KR6), which could not be included in the kit due to
their limited shelf life.

››› The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited. A short circuit

can cause the wires to overheat and the baeries to explode.

››› Different types of baeries or new and used baeries are not to

be mixed.

››› Do not mix old and new baeries.

››› Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable

(nickel-cadmium) baeries.

››› Baeries are to be inserted with the correct polarity. Press them

gently into the baery compartment. See page 2.

››› Always close baery compartments with the lid.

››› Non-rechargeable baeries are not to be recharged. They could

explode!

››› Rechargeable baeries are only to be charged under adult

supervision.

››› Rechargeable baeries are to be removed from the toy before

being charged.

››› Exhausted baeries are to be removed from the toy.

››› Dispose of used baeries in accordance with environmental

provisions, not in the household trash.

››› Be sure not to bring baeries into contact with coins, keys, or

other metal objects.

››› Avoid deforming the baeries.

As all of the experiments use baeries, have an adult check the
experiments or models before use to make sure they are assembled
properly. Always operate the motorized models under adult
supervision.
After you are done experimenting, remove the baeries from the
baery compartments. Note the safety information accompanying
the individual experiments or models!

Notes on Disposal of Electrical
and Electronic Components

The electronic components of this product are recyclable. For the
sake of the environment, do not throw them into the household
trash at the end of their lifespan. They must be delivered to a
collection location for electronic waste, as indicated by the
following symbol:

Please contact your local authorities for the appropriate
disposal location.

Dear Parents,

Before starting the experiments, read through the instruction
manual together with your child and discuss the safety
information. Check to make sure the models have been
assembled correctly, and assist your child with the experiments.

We hope you and your child have a lot of fun with the
experiments!

FCC Part 15 Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, maybe cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different form that to
which the receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC RF Exposure Statement

To comply with the FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, this
device and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

For body worn operation, this device has been tested and meets FCC RF
exposure guidelines when used with an accessory that contains no metal
and that positions the device a minimum of 5 mm from the body. Use of
other accessories may not ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure
guidelines.

Kosmos Quality and Safety

More than one hundred years of expertise in publishing science
experiment kits stand behind every product that bears the Kosmos
name. Kosmos experiment kits are designed by an experienced team
of specialists and tested with the utmost care during development
and production. With regard to product safety, these experiment
kits follow European and US safety standards, as well as our own
refined proprietary safety guidelines. By working closely with our
manufacturing partners and safety testing labs, we are able to
control all stages of production. While the majority of our products
are made in Germany, all of our products, regardless of origin,
follow the same rigid quality standards.

1st Edit ion 2017 Thames & Kos mos, LLC, Pro vidence, RI , USA
Thame s & Kosmos® is a re gistered trad emark of Thame s & Kosmos, LLC.

This wor k, including a ll its parts , is copyright p rotected. An y use outside t he specific l imits of the co pyright law wit hout the conse nt of the publis her is prohibit ed and punishab le by law.
This app lies specif ically to repr oductions, t ranslations , microfil ming, and stora ge and process ing in electro nic systems and n etworks. We d o not guarantee t hat all material i n this work
is free f rom copyright o r other protec tion.

Technical pr oduct develo pment: Geni us Toy Taiwan Co. , Ltd., Taichung , Taiwan, R .O.C.
Text and Edi ting: Ted McGuire , Camille Duha mel
Layout: Ashley Greenleaf
Additional Graphics and Packaging: Dan Freitas

Manual design concept: Atelier Bea Klenk, Berlin
Manual illustrations: Geni us Toy Taiwan Co. , Ltd., Taichung , Taiwan, R .O.C., and T hames & Kosmos

Manual p hotos:
© istock photo.com: mi croolga, p. 4 bo ttom left; al l animal photos , p. 6
© fotoli a.com: natal iafrei, p. 4 bott om right; Max isport, p. 4 to p center
© shutter stock.com : Slavoljub Pant elic, p. 4 top ri ght
Courte sy of DARPA, p. 4 to p left
All othe r photos: Gen ius Toy Taiwan Co ., Ltd., Taichung , Taiwan, R .O.C., and T hames & Kosmos

The publ isher has made e very effor t to locate the hol ders of image ri ghts for all of t he photos used . If in any individ ual cases any ho lders of image r ights have not b een acknowle dged,
they are a sked to provide e vidence to the p ublisher of t heir image righ ts so that they m ay be paid an image f ee in line with th e industry stan dard.

Distr ibuted in North A merica by Tha mes & Kosmos, L LC. Providen ce, RI 02903
Phone: [phone]; Web: www.thamesandkosmos.com

Distr ibuted in United K ingdom by Tham es & Kosmos UK , LP. Cranbr ook, Kent TN17 3HE
Phone: [phone]; Web: www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk

We reser ve the right to m ake technical c hanges.

Printe d in Taiwan / Im primé en Taiwan

620380-02-070318

› › › KIT CONTENTS

GOOD TO KNOW!

If you are missing any

parts, please contact Thames & Kosmos

customer service.
US: [e-mail]

What’s inside your experiment kit:

UK: [e-mail]

1 2 3 7 854 6 9 10

11 12 13 14 17 1815 16 19

22 23 24 25 26

39 40

27 28

37

38 41 42

2120

29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

44 45 46

Checklist: Find – Inspect – Check off

No. Description Qty. Item No.

1 Short anchor pin, blue 50
2 Anchor pin, red 28
3 Joint pin, gray 10
4 Shaft plug 5
5 Shaft pin 8
6 Two-to-one converter 4
7 90-degree converter X, black 2
8 90-degree converter Y, black 4
9 Rounded curved rod 2
10 Curved rod, black 6
11 3-hole dual rod, gray 4
12 3-hole wide rounded rod, purple 7
13 5-hole rod, black 4
14 5-hole dual rod C, black 3
15 5-hole dual rod B, gray 3
16 7-hole wide rounded rod, purple 7
17 7-hole flat rounded rod, purple 7
18 9-hole rod 3
19 11-hole rod 3
20 Square frame 7
21 Rounded square frame 2
22 Short frame 3
23 Rounded short frame 2

7344-W10-C2B

7061- W10- C1R

1156-W10-A1S1

7026 -W10-H1Y

7026-W10-J3R

7061-W10-G1D

7061-W10-J1D

7061- W10-J2D

3941-W1 0-C 1R

7061-W10-V1D

7061- W10-R1S 2

7404-W10-C1P

7413-W10-K2D

7026-W10 -S2D

7026-W10 -S3S2

7404-W10-C2P

7404-W10-C3P

740 7-W10 -C1 S

7413-W10-P1D

7413-W10-Q1S1

7411-W 10- F1D

7413-W10-I1S1

7411-W 10- E1D

43

You will also need:

•3 AA batteries (1.5-volt, type AA/LR6) or 3 AA
rechargeable batteries (1.2-volt, type AA, HR6/

KR6) and a tablet or smartphone running iOS or
Android (see page 7 for hardware requirements)

No. Description Qty. Item No.

24 3x13 dual frame 2
25 Motor shaft (27-mm axle) 6
26 35-mm axle 2
27 70-mm axle 5
28 100-mm axle 1
29 Small gear, red 7
30 Medium gear, gray 10
31 Worm gear 1
32 Wheel, red 4
33 Tire, hard plastic 2
34 Tire, rubbery plastic 2
35 Washer 4
36 Ball roller 1
37 Body plate left, purple 1
38 Body plate right, purple 1
39 Trapezoidal plate 1
40 Trapezoidal cover 2
41 Ultrasonic sensor, purple 1
42 Motor (40x motor) 2
43 Bluetooth battery box, purple 1
44 Anchor pin lever 1
45 Crankshaft gear A, red 1
46 Crankshaft gear B, red 1

7406-W10-A1S

7026-W10- L1S1

7413-W10-O1D

7061- W10- Q1D

7413-W10-L2D

7026-W10 -D2R

7346 -W10-C1S

7344-W10-A1S1

7392-W10 -H1R

7392-W10-G1D

7413-W10-D1S

R12#3620

1247-W85-C1S

7392-W10 -L1P

7392-W10 -L2P

7408-W10-A1R

740 8-W1 0-B 1S

7416 -W85 -B-1

7400-W85-A1

7416 -W85 -G-TK-1

7061- W10-B1Y

7411-W 10- C1R

7411-W 10- C2R

1

› › › TIPS AND TRICKS

Here are a few tips for
assembling and using the
models. Read them carefully
before starting.

A. Pay attention to the hole
alignment!

It is very important that you pay
close aention to the alignment of
the holes in the gear wheels. Make
sure that you insert the shaft pins
into the correct holes and that the
gears are oriented exactly as shown
in relation to each other and to the
model. Otherwise, the robots will
not move properly.

B. The part separator tool

In the box, you will find a lile
yellow tool called the anchor pin
lever. End A of the part separator
tool makes it easy to remove anchor
pins from the frames.

Hole

B

A

Hole A

Hole C

Hole

B

A

B

C. Gear wheels

The models will often have several
gear wheels installed in a row. In
order for the models to work well,
these gears will have to mesh well.
Otherwise, the force from one gear
wheel won’t be properly transferred
to the next.

D. Installing batteries in the
Bluetooth battery box

Slide the transparent cover open.
Insert the baeries according to the
indicated plus-minus polarity. Close
the compartment by sliding the
cover back on.

C

D

2

› › › TABLE OF CONTENTS

Robotics: Smart Machines

Safety Information ............................................. Inside front cover

Kit Contents ......................................................................................... 1

Tips and Tricks ................................................................................... 2

Table of Contents ............................................................................... 3

Robots: Sensing, Thinking Machines

Geing Started ................................................................................... 4

About Ultrasound .............................................................................. 5

Downloading and Using the App .................................................... 6

Writing Programs ............................................................................... 7

The Models:

Turtle Robot ........................................................................................... 13

Programming the Turtle Robot .........................................................15

Rover Bot .................................................................................................. 16

Programming the Rover Bot ...............................................................22

Desert Explorer ......................................................................................23

Programming the Desert Explorer ...................................................29

Dancing Bot .............................................................................................30

Programming the Dancing Bot .......................................................... 37

Scout Rover .............................................................................................38

Programming the Scout Rover ..........................................................44

Helicopter ................................................................................................45

Programming the Helicopter .............................................................52

Dozer Bot ..................................................................................................53

Programming the Dozer Bot ............................................................... 59

Scorpion Robot .......................................................................................60

Programming the Scorpion Robot .................................................... 64

Publisher’s information ......................................Inside back cover

TIP!

Above each set of assembly

instructions, you will find a red bar:

››› It shows you the difficulty level for

the model’s assembly:

easy medium hard

3

Robots: Sensing,
Thinking Machines

Robots are mechanical agents controlled by computer programs. They can be

programmed to perform all sorts of tasks and movements. Robots can assemble

cars, play soccer, vacuum floors, deliver packages, map terrain, climb mountains,

entertain people, cook dinner — the list goes on and on. With this kit, you can build

robots that use an ultrasonic sensor to sense their environment. With the app, you

can program the robots’ motors to behave in different ways depending on the data

coming from the ultrasonic sensor. In this way, you can create different robots that

perform different tasks!

4

GETTING STARTED

Programming the Robots

There are four primary types of functional components in
this kit that enable the robots to work:

A. The Bluetooth baery box connects to the app on your

tablet or smartphone via a wireless Bluetooth
connection, and provides power to the motor units via
wires.

B. The motor units connect to axles and motor shafts to

turn gears and wheels, activating your models. They
are powered by the baery box.

C. The ultrasonic sensor sends out ultrasound waves and

“listens” for them to bounce off of objects. It gives this
information to the app.

D. The app is the “brain” of your robotic models. It uses

the feedback from the ultrasonic sensor and program
instructions to control the models.

These four elements, in combination with all the
mechanical parts — rods, gears, axles, frames, and so on
— allow you to build and program mechanical robots
that can sense their surrounding using sound waves.

A

B

C

First, follow the assembly instructions starting on page
13 to build one of the models.

Make sure you have inserted the baeries correctly
according to the baery information on page 2.

Shake the model until the blue light on the Bluetooth
baery box turns on, indicating that the module is on. The
module automatically turns off after about a minute of
inactivity to save baery power. You simply have to jiggle
the model when you want to turn it on again. It’s a
movement-activated on-off switch!

Now you can connect the tablet or smartphone to the
model via the free app. Instructions to download and use
the app start on page 7.

D

Robotics

5

ABOUT ULTRASOUND

ABOUT ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound is a sound pressure wave that moves through
substances (gases, liquids, and solids) and has a
frequency greater than that which humans can hear.

Frequency is simply the number of waves in a given period
of time. Humans can hear sound waves in the frequency
range of 20 hertz (which means cycles per second) to
20,000 hertz (20 kilohertz).

ANIMAL SONAR

In the natural world, bats, whales, and some birds use
sound waves to detect objects around them. This is
especially useful in the darkness of night or underwater,
where seeing visible light is difficult or impossible.

This type of sensing is called echolocation, or biosonar. It
works like this: The animal emits sound waves that move
outward in all directions around it. When the sound waves
hit an object, they bounce off of it and travel back to the
animal’s ears. The sound waves reach each of the animal’s
two ears at slightly different times. The animal can
interpret this time difference to perceive the size, direction
of movement, and speed of objects.

Low HighFrequency

20 Hz

Infrasound UltrasoundAcoustic

Sound waves of emied call Echo sound waves

20 kHz 2 MHz 200 MHz

Bat

Dolphin

Animals use echolocation to hunt prey in the dark of
night. They can also navigate and find their way around
without normal eyesight.

ACTIVE SONAR

Humans have developed a technology to replicate
echolocation, which is called sonar. Sonar is an acronym
for SOund Navigation And Ranging. Sonar is used for
navigation in submarines, ships, and airplanes. A similar
technology using electromagnetic radio waves instead of
sound waves is called radar (RAdio Detection And
Ranging).

With sonar and radar, airplane pilots are able to find their
way and avoid collision with other planes, even in
complete darkness or in thick clouds. Police use radar to
detect speeding cars.

Your ultrasonic sensor also sends out sound waves. You
can’t hear them because they are ultrasonic! One “eye” on
the sensor head is a transmier and the other is a receiver.
The transmier sends out ultrasonic waves, like a
speaker, and the receiver senses the waves that bounce
back, like a microphone. In this way, the sensor is able to
sense objects in front of it, even in the dark.

Sound

transmier

and receiver

The ultrasonic
sensor has one
transmier and
one receiver.

Submarine

Sound waves sent out

Object

Reflected sound waves

6

DOWNLOADING AND USING THE APP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

You can download the free app for iOS devices from the
iOS App Store, or for Android devices from Google Play.

Programming the Robots

• iOS devices must support Bluetooth 4.0 and must be
running iOS 8.0 or later.

• Android devices must support Bluetooth 4.0 and must be
running Android 4.4 or later.

To get the app:

1. Turn on your tablet or smartphone.

2. If you have a QR code reader installed, you can scan one

of the QR codes to right to take you directly to the app
download page for your device.

3. Alternatively, you can search for the “Robotics: Smart

Machines” app or follow one of these links:

iOS: www.thamesandkosmos.com/apps/620375/ios

Android: www.thamesandkosmos.com/apps/620375/android

4. Follow the steps on the download page to download

and install the app on your device.

5. Open the app and the remote control screen will appear.

Robotics

i0S app Android app

A

REMOTE CONTROL MODE

1. Connect the app to your model by pressing the

Bluetooth buon in the upper left corner (A).

2. When the connection has been made, the Bluetooth

symbol will change color (B) and, if a motor is
connected, the motor will drive for a second to indicate
the connection has been made.

3. The ultrasonic functionality will now be available if the

ultrasonic sensor is connected properly. The concentric
circular rings indicate the relative distance to an object
in front of the sensor. The ring lights up when an object
is detected. Closer objects light up the inner rings;
objects that are farther away light up the outer rings.
Test it out by moving an object in front of the sensor.

5. You can use the two slider controls (C) to directly

control the two motors on your models. Slide the slider
up or down with your finger to make the motor spin
clockwise or counterclockwise.

CC

B

Object Near Object Far

7

WRITING PROGRAMS

PROGRAMMING MODE

Press the gear icon (D) to enter the programming
mode. When you press the icon, a list of programs
appears. You can save up to sixteen programs. The
app comes with demo programs preloaded in
Programs 1-16. You will be using programs 9-16 in
this kit.

UNDERSTANDING THE ULTRASONIC
DETECTION INTERVALS

1. Enter Program 8 (the blank program). The
programming screen appears.

2. The Go buon (E) runs the program. When it is
pressed, the number in the upper left (F) will start
indicating the distance to the object that the
sensor is detecting.

D

E

3. After you press the Go buon, it becomes a Stop
buon (G) and the program runs. You can see in
this example that the sensor is reading a distance
of “21.” This equates roughly to a distance of 21
centimeters. Press the Stop buon.

4. The sensor distance indicator line (H) has
adjustable ranges. Different program segments
can run in each of these ranges. By default, there
are three ranges. The first range marker (I) is set
at 30 and the second marker (J) at 50. This means
there are four program segments by default:

• The “Opening” program segment (K) runs once at

the beginning when the Go buon is pressed.

• When an object is detected between 0 and 30, the

blue 0-30 segment (L) runs.

• When an object is detected between 30 and 50, the

green 31-50 segment (M) runs.

• When an object is detected between 50 and 100,

the purple >51 segment (N) runs.

F G

H

I J

O

K

L

You can slide the range markers to change the
distance ranges. You can also increase the number
of distance range segments by pressing the add
range marker buon (O). You can delete a segment
with the delete buon (P).

Range markers must be a minimum of 5 distance
units apart. You cannot add a new range marker if
there is another marker at 90 or higher.

8

M

N

P

WRITING A PROGRAM

1. Now you are ready to write your first program.
Click the gear buon (A) to enter the
programming mode. Choose a blank program
(Program 8 starts out blank).

2. The programming screen appears.

3. Press the plus sign “+” buon (B) in one of the
program segments to add a command.

4. The commands menu (C) pops up. You can select
between three types of commands:

• Choose Motors to add motor commands.

• Choose Notes to add sound commands.

• Choose Rest to add a pause command.

Or press the red X buon to exit the commands
menu.

Programming the Robots

A

B

Continued on next page >>>

TROUBLESHOOTING THE

SENSOR CONNECTION

If the sensor connection isn’t working:

››› Disconnect and then reestablish the

Bluetooth connection.

››› Make sure the sensor cable is securely

plugged into the baery box.

C

››› Exit the program you are in and

relaunch it.

9

WRITING PROGRAMS

PROGRAMMING MOTORS

1. Press the motors command icon and the motor
programming window appears (D).

2. In the motor programming window, you can
create a command to control motor one (blue)
and/or motor two (red) to turn forward or
backward. You can choose a relative speed from

-4 (fastest in one direction) to 4 (fastest in the
other direction).

Note: A positive speed (1-4) in the motor command
doesn’t always mean your model will move
forward! You will have to test which direction
results in the desired output direction on your
specific models, because the orientation of the
motor and the gearing will change the direction.

D

E

F

3. With the time slider (E), you can also set the
duration for which the motor(s) will turn, from 0.5
to 5.0 seconds.

4. When you are satisfied with your selections, press
the green check mark buon and the motor block
(F) appears in the program segment.

The blocks show which motor(s) (G) the command
will turn, and at what speed and in what direction
(H) each motor will turn. Below that, it shows
how long the motor(s) will turn (I).

The blue gear wheel represents motor one and the
red gear wheel represents motor two.

Tip! Add red and blue dots or stickers to the baery
box and motors so you can easily keep track of
which motor you are programming.

5. You can add more command blocks to the same
segment by pressing the “+” buon (B) again.

G H

I

10

Motor
indicator
dots

PROGRAMMING SOUNDS

1. Press the notes command icon and the sound
programming window appears (J).

2. In the sound programming window, you can
create a command to make sounds. You can
choose the pitch (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si, and
Do) and the duration (0.5 to 5 seconds) for each
note command.

3. Press the green check mark buon and the note
block (K) appears in the program segment.

In this way, you can program a simple melody
with multiple note blocks that will play when the
program segment runs.

Programming the Robots

J

K

PROGRAMMING PAUSES

1. The last command option is to add a pause, or
rest, to the program. Press the rest command icon
and the rest programming window appears (L).
You can choose the duration (0.5 to 5 seconds) of
the pause in the program. Press the green check
mark buon and the rest block (M) is added to the
program segment.

WRITING A COMPLETE PROGRAM

Following the previous instructions for adding
commands, you can now go and write programs for
all of the segments. You can think of the different
actions you want your robot to perform when the
ultrasonic sensor reads objects at different
distances in front of it.

Don’t be afraid to try a lot of different ideas and
play around with different combinations of
command blocks in different distance range
segments.

L

M

DELETING COMMANDS

To delete a command block, press the block you
want to delete to open its programming window.
Then press the trash buon (N) in the boom corner.

N

11

WRITING PROGRAMS

DELETE ALL

To clear an entire program and set it back to the
default blank program mode, press the trash can
buon (O) in the menu bar. This also resets the
range markers to the default seings.

LOOP CHECKBOX

When the loop checkbox (P) is checked, the program
segment will run in a continuous loop, over and over
again, when the program segment is active.

When the loop checkbox is unchecked, the program
segment will run just once when the program
segment is triggered.

O

P

Q

SWITCHING BETWEEN PROGRAMS

If you want to move to a different program, click the
storage box buon (Q) and select which program
you want to open.

SAVING PROGRAMS

When you want to save a program you have wrien,
press the disk buon (R). The program script will
immediately be saved inside the program (1-6) you
are currently in. A confirmation screen will appear.

REVERT TO SAVED

To revert to the last saved version of the program
and erase all unsaved changes, press the revert to
saved buon (S).

S

R

T

EXITING PROGRAMMING MODE

When you want to leave the programming screen,
press the door buon (T). A window will pop up
asking if you are sure you want to leave the
programming screen. Press the green check mark
buon to go back to the main remote screen.

12

TURTLE ROBOT

Turtle Robot

1 2

9 x

12

4 x

27

2 x

37

1 x

1 x

4 x

1

4

2 x

13

29

4 x

38

1 x

4 x

41

30

2 x

1 x

6

4 x

8

2 x

16

20

1 x

32

2 x

42

2 x

9

2 x

1 x

10

2 x

22

1 x

34

2 x

43

35

2 x

1 x

4

11

4 x

25

2 x

x2

36

1 x

44

5

x2

2

3

Motor B

Motor B

6

Motor A

7

8 9 10

Motor A

13

TURTLE ROBOT

13

14

11

12

Sensor

16

15

18

x2

x2

17

Motor A

Sensor

Motor B

14

Done!

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE TURTLE ROBOT

The turtle robot is very timid! It will quickly move to avoid any object
that is in front of it. When this program runs, the turtle robot will move
forward until it detects an object with the ultrasonic sensor. The turtle
robot will back away, turn, and then move forward in a new direction.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 9. Test it out and
write down how the robot behaves for each program segment below.

Programming the Turtle Robot

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 9

PROGRAMMING NOTES

OPENING SEGMENT:

SEGMENT 0-30:

SEGMENT >31:

15

ROVER BOT

26 x

3 x

42

2 x

1

2

3

10

11

12

13

x2

1

25 x

14

21

2 x

30

8 x

32

4 x

8 x

16

6 x

22

2 x

33

2 x

43

1 x

4 x

17

5 x

24

2 x

34

2 x

44

1 x

3 x

1 x

2 x

18

35

4 x

45

1 x

4 x

7 x

19

25

4 x

4 x

20

3 x

27

29

4 x

2

x2

40

2 x

46

1 x

41

1 x

3

5

x2

x2

6 7

4

x2

x2

16

x2

8

9 10

Rover Bot

x2

15

11 12

14

x2

13

x2

Connect to
the third
hole in the
top of the
short frame.

Note the
angle.

17

16

ROVER BOT

17

18

19

x2

Motor B

20

Motor A

18

21

Rover Bot

22

x2

24

23

25 26 27

19

28

ROVER BOT

29

Connect to
the third
hole in the
top of the
short frame.

30

31

Note the
angle.

Sensor

20

32

Rover Bot

33

34

Sensor

Motor B

Motor A

Done!

21

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE ROVER BOT

Enter this program to make the rover bot follow you around after it has detected you. Place the rover bot
a few feet away from any objects and point the ultrasonic detector away from you. The rover bot will
move the ultrasonic sensor left and right searching for you. You may have to move closer for the rover bot
to detect you, but once it has, it will move towards you and follow you around.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 10. Test it out and write down how the robot behaves
for each program segment below.

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 10

OPENING SEGMENT:

PROGRAMMING NOTES

SEGMENT 0-20:

SEGMENT 21-50:

SEGMENT >51:

22

27 x

Desert Explorer

DESERT EXPLORER

1

1

2

27 x

14

3

4

5

6

11

5 x

15

2 x

2 x

16

17

4 x

1 x

18

6 x

12

13

3 x

19

20

2

30

6 x

2 x

23

2 x

32

3 x

2 x

2 x

24

4 x

33

34

7 x

25

26

2 x

35

37

3

4 x

1 x

1 x

43

4

Sensor

4 x

2 x

40

2 x

46

41

1 x

2 x

42

2 x

3 x

1 x

21

2 x

27

6 x

22

2 x

29

4 x

3 x

38

1 x

44

1 x

1 x

39

1 x

45

1 x

5

6

7

8

23

DESERT EXPLORER

11

9

12 13

10

14

15 16 17

24

x2

20

Desert Explorer

x2

18

19

21

22

25

23 24

Motor A

x2

25

DESERT EXPLORER

26

27

Side view

28

29 30

31 32

Hole B

26

Desert Explorer

33

35

34

Motor B

36

37

Side view

Hole B

27

DESERT EXPLORER

38

40

39

Sensor

Motor A

Motor B

28

Done!

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE DESERT EXPLORER

The desert explorer has two modes of movement based on its
proximity to objects. When the desert explorer is far away from
objects, it will move quickly. But once it has detected an object with
the ultrasonic sensor, it will “walk” slowly towards the object.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 11. Test it out and
write down how the robot behaves for each program segment below.

Programming the Desert Explorer

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 11

PROGRAMMING NOTES

OPENING SEGMENT:

SEGMENT 0-30:

SEGMENT 31-90:

SEGMENT >91:

29

DANCING ROBOT

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10

11

6 x

19

26

2 x

38

4 x

20

7 x

27

3 x

29

7 x

39

2

7 x

47 x

26 x

12

4 x

21

1 x

30

10 x

13

2 x

22

2 x

31

32

4 x

14

3 x

33

2 x

15

23

1 x

4 x

16

7 x

7 x

34

2 x

17

3 x

24

2 x

35

36

2 x

18

3 x

25

6 x

37

3

10 x

1 x

4 x

40

2 x

41

1 x

2 x

42

2 x

4 x

1 x

2 x

43

1 x

44

1 x

1 x

1 x

45

1 x

1 x

46

1 x

4

5

6

Sensor

30

7

9

8

x2

10

Dancing Robot

11 12

Note the gear’s
orientation.

13

14 15

16 17

Note the gear’s
orientation.

31

DANCING ROBOT

20

18

19

x2

Motor B

Motor A

21 22

32

23

25

24

x2

26

Dancing Robot

27

28

Black

30

Black

Gray

Gray

29

33

DANCING ROBOT

31

32

33

x2

34

37

35 36

x2 x2

37

35-mm

34

35-mm

Hole B

39

Dancing Robot

40

41

43 44

42

Top view

Top view

Hole B

35

45

47

DANCING ROBOT

46

49

48

Motor B

Sensor

Motor A

36

Done!

Programming the Dancing Robot

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE DANCING BOT

The dancing bot can be programmed to move and turn in time with a song. Modify this program so that the dancing
bot moves to the beat when you play a song.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 12. Test it out and write down how the robot behaves for each
program segment below.

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 12

OPENING SEGMENT:

PROGRAMMING NOTES

SEGMENT 0-10:

SEGMENT 11-50:

SEGMENT >51:

37

SCOUT ROVER

1 2

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

41 x

27 x

11

4 x

2 x

26

2 x

5 x

37

35

4 x

42

2 x

4 x

12

13

7 x

4 x

20

19

27

1 x

43

1 x

4 x

4 x

14

3 x

6 x

29

4 x

38

1 x

7 x

21

2 x

30

10 x

44

1 x

2 x

16

24

2 x

32

4 x

39

1 x

1 x

2 x

17

7 x

33

2 x

40

2 x

45

2 x

18

3 x

25

1 x

34

2 x

41

1 x

46

1 x

x2

3

Motor A

6

4

5

x2

7 8 9 10

x2

38

Motor B

11

Connect to B holes.

Scout Rover

13

12

14 15

16 17

Connect to B holes.

39

SCOUT ROVER

20

18

19

Sensor

21

40

x2

23

22

24

Scout Rover

26

25

27

41

28

SCOUT ROVER

29

30

42

31

Scout Rover

x2

33

32

Done!

Motor A

Motor B

Sensor

43

SCOUT ROVER

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE SCOUT ROVER

First, place several large objects along a corridor or hallway. When you run this program, the scout rover will be
able to navigate these obstacles. First, the scout rover will move the ultrasonic sensor left and right searching for
any objects that are nearby. If no objects are detected the scout rover will move forward. When an object is within
range of the scout rover, it will back away and turn its wheels. Then the scout rover will continue to move forward
again in a new direction until it detects another object.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 13. Test it out and write down how the robot behaves for each
program segment below.

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 13

OPENING SEGMENT:

PROGRAMMING NOTES

SEGMENT 0-30:

SEGMENT >31:

44

HELICOPTER

Helicopter

28 x

2 x

1

2

26 x

13

3

4

5 x 58 x

6 x

14

15

6

4 x

16

9

2 x

17

10

4 x

19

11

3 x

20

12

6 x

21

2

1

2 x

22

2 x

31

32

1 x

2 x

41

1 x

1 x

23

2 x

33

2 x

42

2 x

7 x

2 x

35

2 x

1 x

5 x

24

37

1 x

43

2 x

25

3 x

3 x

1 x

38

1 x

44

1 x

4 x

28

27

39

1 x

45

1 x

2 x

29

30

6 x

1 x

8 x

40

1 x

46

3

4

5

6

8

7

45

10

HELICOPTER

9

Connect to Hole B

x3

11

Connect to Hole B

12

13

46

Motor B

Side view

14

Helicopter

15

16

17

18

Motor A

20

19

47

21

HELICOPTER

22

Sensor

23

48

24

Helicopter

25

26 27

49

28

HELICOPTER

29

30

31

33 34

32

50

35

Helicopter

Top

view

37 38

39

36

Motor A

Sensor

Motor B

Done!

51

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE HELICOPTER

Start by placing the helicopter on a table. Run the program. First, the
program turns motor B on, which spins the rotor blades. Then, lift the
helicopter up off the table with your hand. Once the model is several
centimeters from the table surface, the ultrasonic sensor detects the
absence of the table. The program then tells motor A to retract the
landing gear. Now you can pretend the model is flying around. When
it’s time to land, slowly bring the helicopter close to the tabletop
again. The sensor will tell motor A to swivel back into landing mode,
and the landing gear will extend so the helicopter can land.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 14. Test it out
and write down how the robot behaves for each program segment
below.

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 14

OPENING SEGMENT:

SEGMENT 0-20:

SEGMENT 21-50:

52

SEGMENT 51-70:

SEGMENT >71:

Dozer Bot

4 x

40 x

1 x

42

DOZER BOT

1

2

19 x

12

4 x

20

7 x

28

37

35

3 x

3

4

5

6

4 x

8 x

13

1 x

14

2 x

21

1 x

29

4 x

38

1 x

43

4 x

15

3 x

22

3 x

30

31

7 x

1 x

44

1 x

16

7 x

25

2 x

32

4 x

39

1 x

45

8

11

4 x

2 x

17

6 x

26

1 x

33

2 x

40

2 x

46

18

3 x

27

4 x

34

2 x

41

1 x

1

2

3

4

2 x

1 x

1 x

1 x

1 x

5 6

7 8

9

x2

53

DOZER BOT

Motor A

11

10

12

13

14 15 16

54

Motor B

17

Dozer Bot

18

20

19

x2

100-mm

21

22

Side view

55

DOZER BOT

26

24

25

23

28

27

29

56

31

Dozer Bot

30

32 33

34 35

x2

36

Connect to

Hole B

x2

57

DOZER BOT

38

37

Sensor

42

40

39

Motor A

41

Sensor

Motor B

58

Done!

Programming the Dozer Bot

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE DOZER BOT

The dozer bot is able to pick up and push small objects around with the blade on its front end. Run this
program and the dozer bot will move forward with its blade down until it detects an object. The dozer
robot will then raise its blade until it is horizontal, and then move backwards.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 15. Test it out and write down how the robot
behaves for each program segment below.

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 15

OPENING SEGMENT:

PROGRAMMING NOTES

SEGMENT 0-36:

SEGMENT 37-60:

SEGMENT >61:

59

SCORPION ROBOT

1

18 x

1 x

40

1

2

19 x

14

22

2 x

33

2 x

2 x

3

4

5

6

2 x

15

1 x

24

1 x

34

2 x

41

1 x

2 x

1 x

16

7 x

4 x

35

2 x

42

2 x

4 x

17

6 x

2 x

25

1 x

27

4 x

36

37

1 x

43

1 x

11

8

2 x

4 x

18

3 x

29

5 x

1 x

3

12

7 x

19

30

6 x

38

1 x

44

13

2 x

20

1 x

32

2

4 x

39

1 x

4

5

6 7

8 9 10

Motor B

Motor A

60

11

Scorpion Robot

12

13

14

16

15

19

18

17

x2

20

61

SCORPION ROBOT

21

Sensor

23 24

22

Connect to hole B.

Connect to hole B.

62

25

26

Scorpion Robot

27

30

28

Done!

29

Motor A

Sensor

Motor B

63

PROGRAMMING

SAMPLE PROGRAM FOR THE SCORPION ROBOT

Unlike the turtle bot, the scorpion robot will charge toward any object it detects. First, the scorpion robot will move
forward while moving the ultrasonic sensor left and right and its tail up and down. When an object is in range, the
scorpion robot will quickly charge forward and raise its tail.

This program is preloaded in the app under Program 16. Test it out and write down how the robot behaves for each
program segment below.

DEMO PROGRAM:

Program 16

OPENING SEGMENT:

PROGRAMMING NOTES

SEGMENT 0-30:

SEGMENT >31:

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU BUILD?

Now that you have built the eight
robotic machines in this kit, can you

design your own robots and write
your own programs to control them?

Use your imagination to think up a
cool robot that uses the ultrasonic

sensor to respond to its environment.

64

620380-03- 050617