====== Convert A Cheap (AU $9) & Cheerful Toy Into An RC IOT Robot ====== **NOTE: This is ONLY a brief summary of a more detailed WPS classroom STEAM project** **How to take a cheap toy and turn it into a STEAM powered, remote controlled, dancing, musical robot connected to the IOT for less than AU $20.** The procedure is designed to provide a context to promote student understanding of digital technologies, especially: circuits, binary logic and The Internet of Things. This example is based on a AU$9 toy available from KMart Australia (2016-2017). You can apply variations of this method to just about any cheap radio control toy... === Getting Organised: === Purchase a cheap toy that is operated by one or more easily accessible push-buttons. In this project we will modify the push button switches to convert the toy to a remote controlled device that can optionally be controlled and monitored bythe Internet of Things (IOT) For the example below, the school purchased a **Dar-Ci** robot (October 2016) from Kmart for a cost of AU $9.00. This toy has lots of features but is operated by a single push button (**referred to below as the 'switch'**) on the front of the toy, and a three position power switch at the rear. For this example project, student are only required to modify the front, push-button switch. === Video 1: Take a cheap toy. Add STEAM to turn TV Ad. illusion into an IOT classroom reality: === {{ youtube>k3nku2KpICk?640x360 |Dar-Ci - A Cheap robot toy}} * IF UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUTUBEi, TRY VIEWPURE:[[http://viewpure.com/k3nku2KpICk|Dar-Ci - A Cheap dancing robot toy]] === Getting Started - Tools, Circuits & Switches: === TOOLS & MATERIALS: - Screwdriver - Two [[https://www.jaycar.com.au/standard-jumper-test-lead-kit/p/WC6010|jumper leads with crocodile clips]] (per student) OPTIONAL EXTRAS: - Additional jumper lead(s) and/or 1 - 2m hookup wire - Aluminium foil - Assorteds cardboard and trash - Cheap [[http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/36-Tune-Remote-Control-Digital-Wireless-Door-Bell-Doorbell-Button-Receiver-/122052630493?hash=item1c6ae757dd:g:qaEAAOSw-FZXkJys|(example)]] wireless doorbell - Cheap [[https://www.adafruit.com/product/1098|4CH 2262/2272 4CH unit from Adafruit]] or similar [[http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IC2262-2272-4CHs-Wireless-RF-Remote-Control-Decoding-Receiver-Transmitter-Module-/141855007269?hash=item210737a225:g:y~AAAOSwe-FU~rSg|(example)]] wireless keyfob transmitter/receiver or similar - Detailed PT2272 M4 specifications:http://www.princeton.com.tw/Portals/0/Product/PT2272.pdf - Soldering iron and solder (if replacing jumpers with permanent wiring) ---- {{ :learn:steam:brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:darci-01-640x550.jpg?225|}} === Open toy to access & modify the push-button switch: === - Unscrew the four phillips head screws on the rear of the body. - Unscrew the battery cover and remove all batteries - Unscrew the two rear screws holding the bush-button switch in place ---- {{ :learn:steam:brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:darci-02-640x550.jpg?225|}} === Make & connect you own simple switch: === - Replace batteries into battery compartment - Turn the rear power switch (on rear of robot head) to the 'try me' position . - Connect two leads to make a simple switch. - Remove robot legs and place to one side (no additional unscrewing required) - Tap the ends of the leads together to make robot dance and play music EXAMPLES of some other switches made quickly and easily from trash: - DIY [[ http://www.instructables.com/id/Foil-Capability-Switch/|Disability Switch]] - How would you make a [[http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Door-Alarm|burglar alarm from a peg]]? - Halloween [[http://softlyspokenmagicspells.com/halloween/mat_switch.html|doormat switch]] ---- {{:brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:robbie-01.jpg|}} ---- {{:brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:robbie-02.jpg?320 |}} {{ :brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:robbie-03.jpg?320|}} ---- ====== Adding Remote Control Robot function(s) to the toy: ====== {{ :brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:doorbell.jpg?225x225|Wireless Doorbell}} === OPTION 1: === - Purchase any [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht3VwVXonSQ|(example video)]] [[http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/36-Tune-Remote-Control-Digital-Wireless-Door-Bell-Doorbell-Button-Receiver-/122052630493?hash=item1c6ae757dd:g:qaEAAOSw-FZXkJys|cheap wireless doorbell]] set (AU $4.00) from e-bay, a two dollar shop or supermarket - Use masking tape, blue-tak or similar to fix the bell to the robot - Stand some distance away from the robot and hold (but do not yet press) the doorbell button - Make sure all students remain quiet with no loud sound in the room - Switch the slider switch on back of robot head to the 'ON' position. - Press the doorbell switch to sound the bell - this should make robot dance and play music. ---- {{ :brainbox:young-coders:iot:diy-robot:keyfob.jpg?225x225|Wireless 4CH keyfob}} === OPTION 2: === - Purchase any [[http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IC2262-2272-4CHs-Wireless-RF-Remote-Control-Decoding-Receiver-Transmitter-Module-/141855007269?hash=item210737a225:g:y~AAAOSwe-FU~rSg|cheap wireless transmitter/receiver set]] from e-bay (AU $3.00), a two dollar shop or supermarket - Use masking tape, blue-tak or similar to fix the receiver to the robot - Connect positive and ground wires from the battery contacts to the + & GND receiver pins - Connect a wire from any of the receiver data pins to the active side of the robot switch - Stand some distance away from the robot and press the relevant keyfob button - Switch the slider switch on back of robot head to the 'Try Me' position. - Press the relevant key-fob button (A,B,C or D) - this should make robot dance and play music. ---- === OPTION 3: === - Use a Raspberry Pi, Arduino or similar to record the keyfob code (for example, as configured in Item 2 above) and then play back (thus making keyfob redundant) - Create a web page and/or code to control robot via the Internet ---- === OPTION 4: === If you are looking for a more [[https://pi-cars.com/2013/01/24/pi-cars-factory-beginners-tool-kit/|detailed example howto]] using an RC car kit, [[https://pi-cars.com/2013/01/24/pi-cars-factory-beginners-tool-kit/|this page]] contains all you need to know, including links to resources to find out more about how it all works: https://pi-cars.com/2013/01/24/pi-cars-factory-beginners-tool-kit/ Here is a detailed example of a project write-up for a student designed **[[https://people.ece.cornell.edu/land/courses/ece4760/FinalProjects/s2012/cfs74_ami23/finalWeb/index.html|27Mhz + 40Mhz RC Cars project]]** ---- ====== SUMMARY: ====== All of the above are designed to help students develop a scientific understanding about switches, circuits, design, binary logic, engineering, coding and the Internet of things (STEAM). Make sure you document your work (for example, make a about your project video and learn how 'green screen' works) - But mostly: **DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN WHILE YOU TEACH AND LEARN:** ====== Avoid scoring a C(raft). Think deeper about getting an authentic 'A' in STEAM: ====== {{ youtube>PqeDIaG6Kck?640x360 |Whats next}} * IF UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUTUBEi, TRY VIEWPURE:[[http://viewpure.com/PqeDIaG6Kck?What's next?]] ---- {{ youtube>HxDWoZ8XhmY?640x360 |How to do it!}} * IF UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUTUBEi, TRY VIEWPURE:[[http://viewpure.com/HxDWoZ8XhmY?How to do it?]] ----