Lesson 1 – Intro to the Reflectance Sensor
In this lesson, students will dive deeper into sensor technology by exploring the reflectance sensor on the XRP. They will learn how the sensor detects differences in surface brightness, understand how it can be used for line-following and object detection, and apply this knowledge to real-world robotics challenges.
- Presentation
- In-class Activity
- Homework
- Line Following Poster – PNG
- Line Following Poster – PDF
- Line Following Poster – SVG
- E4USA Feedback Lesson 1
Lesson 2 – On/Off Control Line Following
Students will learn how to interpret the data from the reflectance sensor and use it to follow a line. They will explore how the sensor readings change when the robot is over light versus dark surfaces, and translate those readings into movement commands that allow the XRP to track and stay on a path.
Lesson 3 – Line Following with Proportional Control
In this lesson, students will add proportional control to their line-following program. Instead of the robot simply reacting in an on/off way to the reflectance sensor, they will learn how to adjust the robot’s steering proportionally based on how far it is from the line. This creates smoother, faster, and more accurate line-following behavior, introducing students to a key concept used in real-world robotics and control systems.
Lesson 4 – Final Project
Students will now put all they have learned about sensors into practice. Using the ultrasonic sensor, they will program their robots to navigate and successfully complete a maze. This challenge reinforces their understanding of sensor data, control strategies, and problem-solving, while giving them the opportunity to apply their skills in a fun, hands-on test of autonomy.