Beginner Level 1
Lesson 2
How Does a Robot Move?
Now we know how to communicate with our robot through programming, but how does a robot move? Let's learn about it in lesson 2!
Step 1: Watch this video to learn about Simple Machines
While you watch, think about where you see each of these simple machines in daily life.
Step 2:
Now that we’ve learned about simple machines, let’s build some!
Click the image below to open the instructions to build the lever, pulley, pendulum and using the VEX IQ Robotics Kit. You can also use the following videos to help with the build process.
Watch these videos to help you build the machines!
Inclined Plane:
Lever:
Pulley
Pulley:
Pulley
Lever
Pendulum:
*Although not a simple machine, pendulums are a great way to learn about motion!
Step 3: Let's find some simple machines in robots!
Wheel and Axle: a wheel and axle work together to help the robot move. When you use them together, the wheel is able to turn and move the robot!
Inclined Plane: an inclined plane is a surface that is placed at an angle. This angle can help someone, or a robot, get from a low place to a high place easier.
Wedge: a wedge is similar to an inclined plane, but instead this angled surface is used to push objects, like how the VEX robot is pushing the WPI block!
Pulley: a pulley is a kind of wheel and axle machine that is attached to something like a cord or a rope. When the wheel turns, the rope turns around the wheel, which can be used to make something like a lifting system on a robot
Lever: a lever is an arm that turns at one point and it is used for pulling things apart or lifting things.
Screw: a screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a pole. Screws are used to join things together, like pieces on a robot.ieces on a robot.