Robot Arm for Kids

Description

Students complete the StarTec journey by bringing mechanics, electronics, programming, and motion control together to build a complete robotic arm.

They explore how robotic arms are constructed using Links and Joints, how Servo Motors create controlled movement, and how a Gripper allows a robot to interact with physical objects.

Students assemble the mechanical structure, install the Servo Motors, connect the electronic system, and program individual joints before coordinating them to perform complete movements.

They progress from Manual Control to programmed Automatic Motion Sequences, ultimately enabling their robot arm to perform tasks such as Pick and Place.

The course introduces students to the foundations of Robotic Manipulation, giving them a first understanding of the engineering principles behind industrial robotic arms and automated manipulation systems.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic structure of a Robotic Arm.
• Identify the Base, Links, Joints, and End Effector.
• Understand the role of each Joint in producing movement.
• Understand the concept of Degrees of Freedom at an introductory level.
• Understand the purpose of a robotic Gripper.
• Assemble the mechanical structure of a Robot Arm.
• Install Servo Motors within mechanical joints.
• Connect multiple Servo Motors to the electronic control system.
• Control Servo Motor angles using Arduino.
• Control individual Robot Arm joints.
• Coordinate multiple joints to create complete movements.
• Understand basic Motion Sequences.
• Define safe movement ranges for different joints.
• Create a Manual Control Mode.
• Control the Robot Arm through user inputs.
• Create an Automatic Control Mode.
• Program predefined sequences of robotic movements.
• Control the opening and closing of a Gripper.
• Perform basic Pick and Place operations.
• Understand how a robot physically interacts with objects.
• Test and improve Robot Arm movement.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electronic, and programming problems.
• Integrate Mechanical Design + Electronics + Programming + Motion Control into one system.
• Understand the foundations of Robotic Manipulation.