Bugs and beasties – simple animatronics
This activity covers the following areas:
Context:
A look through any of the toy catalogues for some of the main high street stores will show you that there are more and more mechanical toys being sold in the marketplace. People have a fascination with moving mechanical creatures or toys that are both interactive and possess a degree of unpredictability. Recent developments in the production of cheap micro-controllers has meant that designing and making robot-like mechanical toys is now within the grasp and capability of pupils in schools.
You are going to investigate a variety of ways in which a simple micro-controller can be used to develop an animatronic creature. The project is based around the TEP Bug Kit and makes use of the IQ micro-controller also available from TEP. Together these offer an exciting basis for the design and development of a number of animatronic creatures which give the impression of artificial intelligence! Who knows, you might one day go on to develop artificial intelligence in machines of even greater complexity.
This is a suitable activity to link with work done in textiles. A variety of creature shapes can be designed and made in parallel with this electronic and control strand and the two material areas brought together.
You will be working in groups of about 2-3 for this activity and the group will need to decide upon what is to be done, in what sequence and by whom. This will be an opportunity for groups to co-operate to produce an animatronic creature that jitters around the table or bench top. This activity will call for teamwork and co-operation, skills in designing electronic control systems, imagination and creativity, construction skills and perseverance.
Ideas for enhancing the animatronic bug could be :
Covering the “creature” with a fabric shape
Using cut-down pop bottles as the body of the bug
Adding antennae (eg made from plastic tubing with lights at the end)
Making eyes light up by using lamps or leds
Making a noise by using a buzzer
Adding a small piece of thermo-colour sheet to light up a name or sign
See the resources list for references.
For this project it would be useful to undertake the following teacher activities:
a demonstration of the use of different ways in which you can control lights, sounds, movement with a simple micro-processor eg the IQ board- a demonstration of wiring basic electrical components in series and parallel
- illustrating the use of polarised and non-polarised components and any protective measures
the use of microprocessor to monitor and control events
- a number of simple construction techniques
- demonstrating the safe use of tools and equipment
Prior Learning:
In order to undertake this activity, pupils should :
- basic component recognition
Key Learning Objectives:
During this activity teachers should:
- demonstrate the use of different ways to control lights, sounds, movement using the IQ boards,
- show how simple switches can be used to monitor external events and trigger sequences (eg light and movement)
- demonstrate safe soldering techniques
- demonstrate how to make a vacuum formed cover for the animatronic bug
- demonstrate the safe use of tools and equipment
Key Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this activity the pupils should be able to:
- use a simple micro-controller to control lights, sounds, movement etc
- demonstrate a number of simple construction techniques in the finished product
- use a suitable sensor to respond to external events and trigger sequences
- demonstrate the safe use of tools and equipment
Student Notes:
Examples of suggestions for different animatronic toys
Example of different sensor to monitor external events and trigger sequences
Examples of different control sequences for movement, sound or light output
Example of different construction techniques for producing a cover/character for the bug
Student assignments/homework:
- By exploring magazines, catalogues, toy shops or searching the Internet – produce a list of toys that make use of electronics to create movement, sound or light.
- Produce a brainstorm of suggestions for new mechanical toys
- Write a short piece of a computer program to a. ………. , b. …….. , c. ………. .
Resources required:
TEP Bug Kit
IQ board
Input switches – toggle, micro-switches, magnetic switches etc
Output devices – bulbs, leds, motors, buzzers etc
Drivers – various transistors and resistors
Coloured card / acetates
Corrugated card
Wire, solder, soldering irons etc
Batteries etc
Vacuum forming plastic
“Bugs and Animatronics” – see TEP catalogue
“ Jitterbug” – see TEP catalogue
Links:
To websites of interest
TEP
Key questions for teacher CPD
Do you need to know more about?
Sensors and Output devices
Driving output devices
Using the IQ board
PIC micro-controllers
