Lego® Robot—Autonomous Maze Traveler

                                           Developed by Dr. P.K. Imbrie, Purdue University

Instructions to Students

1.Introduction to Project
Programming and problem solving is an art in that it requires a good deal of imagination, ingenuity and creativity. But it is also a science in that it uses certain techniques and methodologies. By definition, a computer program is a sequence of instructions that must be followed to solve a particular problem, and the main reason people learn programming is so that they can use the computer as a problem-solving tool. To this end, the purpose of this project is to help you develop your logical processing skills.


2.Project Objectives
In this project, you will have the following two objectives:

1. Work as a team using a Lego® Mind Storms kit to design and build a robot that will autonomously traverse through a simple maze; and

Develop logical processing skills through computer programming and problem solving.


3.Choosing Your Level of Difficulty

There will be four levels of difficulty that you can choose to develop the robot logic for.
They include:

1. following the correct path, in the form of a solid one inch solid black line, through the maze (worth 60%);

2. following the correct path through the maze, but when an obstacle is encountered, the robot reverses its course and returns to the start position (worth 70%);

3. following the correct path, in the form of a one inch diameter dotted black line where the dots appear on two inch on centers, through the maze (worth 80%); and

4. the robot finds its why through the maze without the aid of a marked path (worth 90%).

Up to ten percent credit will be awarded for creative use of the parts provided.


4.Design Constraints

Other design constraints are as listed below:
1. You may not consult any other documentation, or persons, other than those provided.

2. You are only allowed to use the materials provided.

3. You may develop multiple programs.

4. The boundaries will be constructed from two inch diameter PVC pipe.

5.Deliverables
A programmed robot with which to travel the maze.      

                                                        Lesson   |   Instruction to Students   

©2001, P.K. Imbrie                                                                                                                                       
These materials may be duplicated for educational purposes if properly credited.