BCS Coventry branch - Robot Day 2024
In 2022, John Rendall (Secretary of the Coventry Branch) was asked by Derrick Willer (outgoing Honorary Secretary of the IET Midlands Region network) whether BCS “was doing anything in robotics”, and if there was interest in attending Robot Day 2023. With the help of Community Co-Ordinator Kerry, they were put in touch with Stuart Bell who was instrumental in rewriting a BCS Level 1 qualification in Robotics.
After a successful day, Derrick approached John again later in 2023 and asked (by popular demand!) if they would attend Robot Day 2024. John agreed to front the BCS stand with the help of Ada (outgoing Coventry Branch Treasurer), Nick from the IET Coventry Branch, and BCS’ Tom Brown (Regional Customer Manager). Accordingly, he dug out his old robots, purchased a robotics buggy, some BBC Micro:Bits and refactored his previous BBC Micro:Bit controlled chassis. In fact, by the time he had taken it to the show, it had reached the third iteration and he had implemented a hand-held controller too. The main problem with his old robot arm was that there were only 32 bit drivers for Windows available – so John had to take along his old Windows-XP tower!
On the day (16 March 2024), with 4 different robots in tow, the team was able to showcase BCS’ ICDL Level 1 Robotics Award, which is a new qualification in conjunction with the ICDL Foundation; covering the basic concepts and skills required to understand, build and programme robots. It is intended for pupils who are in the early years of building up to their GCSEs (i.e. not to put pressure on them in the years they are taking their GCSEs), giving them an early qualification in robotics which will stay with them throughout their career.
Admission to the event was free-of-charge. As there was considerable interest from kids-with parents (and the young-at-heart), attendees were given a time-slot for admission to ensure that there was enough capacity for everyone to get involved. This worked out well since the event coincided with a “Geek Out!” board games, shop and cosplay event at Fargo Village on the same day, and the two events were within walking distance which meant there was a good reason to get into Coventry City!
Aside from the Coventry Branch showing robots and talking ICDL, the action-packed display included Coundon Court School with their Vex Robots and First Lego League, Coventry College showing their electric vehicles, UCL with a driving test simulator, OhBot moving and speaking robot, as well as the Imagineering Foundation showing off their hydraulic robot arm (sponsored by JCB) and engineering activity kits. The fun didn’t stop there, STEM Learning was also in attendance talking robot programming, the IET was recruiting attendees to make a Table Tennis ball launcher (and asking kids if they were a bright spark using a Vandergriff Generator – which makes ones’ hair stand on end and one gets an amusing coronal halo – but don’t earth yourself while touching the generator!), and Derrick was offering his Fun Maths book and activities, and the Turin Tumble computer and competition.
As John explained to attendees – and their parents – they may just as easily end up supervising staff using robots as actually programming robots themselves; so it is useful to have a good understanding of what is involved even if they never use it directly. The course was designed to use the BBC Micro:Bit controller, and the Kitronik robot chassis. The reason being that the Micro:Bit can be obtained for about £8 (at the time of writing) and the robot buggy for some £32, with the Klaw (optional) you can get a robot for around £50. The ICDL Level 1 is also priced around £50 (for home educators – BCS has to provide the invigilation of the exam; if a school can be found to deliver the course they would provide the invigilation which would reduce the cost to the student). Bottom Line: for home educators your child can get a robot and a qualification for around £100.
Feedback from the organisers was that by the end of the day there were 200 more attendees this year compared to last. One outcome John noted is that it is only marginally cheaper knocking up your own chassis over purchasing a commercial one, and then only if you repurpose the motors and battery boxes from “left-over” Imagineering kits (specifically the Robot Duck), have some left-over wheels from a solar racer and have some left-over plastic windowsill to make the main chassis from!
The good news is that Tobbie is back to his fully functioning state, having fallen off the table a couple of times (he kept losing the buggy he was supposed to be following – when it sharply changed direction – and he would then lock onto one of the stand staff and walk towards them – he has no sensors other than infra-red so he couldn’t detect the table edge). The main lesson for next year – make the buggy easier to follow (a couple of big IR LEDs may help) and have walls round the track that Tobbie can detect!
If you’re interested in delivering ICDL Robotics, you can find out more details on the Teach BCS Level 1 Robotics Award page.
You can also read more on Robot Day here.
To keep up with the latest news and events from the BCS Coventry Branch, make sure you check out their webpage.
