EV3 Skills and a Guide to Competitive Robotics from Udemy

Hello. Welcome to the Apera Robotics Course. This course is designed to take any student with varying degrees of experience in robotics from beginner to advanced robotics skills. While this course can be used for general robotics knowledge but some content in the course will be targeted towards skills that would be used in competitive robotics like FLL. Competitive Robotics is becoming increasingly more popular as technology takes a forefront in this generation. This course is meant for students who are ready to learn robotics or take steps to make their team more competitive. Included in the course are skills that will be very beneficial on any robotics team as well as FLL specific challenges that will help you build your knowledge and problem solving skills.

In this course we will also explain the competitive robotics pipeline and include additional challenges for students to build their confidence.In this course we will cover:

Unit 1: An Introduction to Robotics and Ev3

Unit 2: Designing and Building your Ev3 Robot

Unit 3: Coding your Ev3 Robot

Unit 4: Exploring Sensors, Attachments and Actuators

Unit 5: Basic Challenges and Core FLL Skills

Unit 6: Advanced FLL Challenges and FLL tips and strategies

What's inside

Learning objectives

Designing a suitable robot based on the challenges needs
Navigating and controlling robot functions on the ev3 brick
Using engineering skills to build a functional robot

Using the ev3 sensors and motors to their fullest extent
Understanding how to write pseudocode and how to implement it into real code
Navigating and utilizing a block coding environment

Designing a suitable robot based on the challenges needs
Navigating and controlling robot functions on the ev3 brick
Using engineering skills to build a functional robot
Using the ev3 sensors and motors to their fullest extent
Understanding how to write pseudocode and how to implement it into real code
Navigating and utilizing a block coding environment

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction to the Course and Robotics!

In this section you will be learning about Ev3 parts and includes a step by step explanation on building your Ev3 robot.

Understanding more About Ev3 Parts

Step-by-Step How to Build Your Basic Robot Chassis

In this segment students, will be able to learn more about the software involved in Ev3 robotics. You will get through connecting your brick to the computer and coding from basic movement to loops.

Connecting your Brick to your Computer and LEGO Software

Exploring the Ev3 Software Interface and Block Drawers

Writing Simple Movement Code

Using Loops and Conditionals to Optimize Code

Troubleshooting Brick-Computer Connection Issues

This is where things get exciting!! In this section we will be exploring different actuators and sensors that will help you make your robot more autonomous as well as aide in certain challenges.

Building and Coding a Touch Sensor Attachment

Building and Coding a Color Sensor Attachment

Building and Coding an Ultrasonic/Infrared Sensor Attachment

Building and Coding the Medium Motor

Students will be starting on basic FLL style challenges and core skills.

Line Following

Basic Maze

Sumo Wrestling

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers FLL-specific challenges and strategies, which provides targeted preparation for competitive robotics events

Explores the competitive robotics pipeline, which helps students understand the broader context of robotics competitions

Teaches pseudocode implementation, which is a valuable skill for planning and executing complex robotic tasks

Focuses on the LEGO EV3 platform, which may not be applicable to other robotics systems or competitions

Requires access to LEGO EV3 hardware, which may be an additional cost for some students

Develops engineering skills to build a functional robot, which is essential for success in robotics competitions

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in EV3 Skills and a Guide to Competitive Robotics with these activities:

Review Basic Programming Concepts

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Reinforce fundamental programming concepts like loops, conditionals, and variables to better understand EV3 block coding.

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Review online tutorials on basic programming concepts.
Complete practice exercises on coding websites.
Summarize key programming concepts in your own words.

Review 'LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book'

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Deepen understanding of EV3 robotics through a comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions and project ideas.

View The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book: A... on Amazon

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Read the book's introductory chapters on EV3 components.
Follow the building instructions for one of the example robots.
Experiment with modifying the robot's code.

Review 'Winning Design! LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Design Patterns for Fun and Competition'

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Learn advanced design patterns for building competitive robots, focusing on effective techniques and strategies for FLL challenges.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the book's sections on robot design principles.
Analyze the design patterns presented in the book.
Apply these patterns to improve your own robot designs.

Four other activities

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Create a Video Tutorial on Line Following

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Solidify understanding of line following by creating a video tutorial explaining the concepts and demonstrating the code.

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Plan the structure and content of the video.
Record footage of an EV3 robot following a line.
Explain the code and logic behind line following.
Edit the video and add narration.

Design and Build a Robot Arm

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Apply engineering design principles and EV3 programming skills to create a functional robot arm capable of performing specific tasks.

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Define the arm's purpose and required range of motion.
Design the arm's structure using LEGO Technic parts.
Build the arm and integrate EV3 motors for movement.
Program the arm to perform a sequence of actions.

Practice Maze Navigation Challenges

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Improve robot navigation skills by repeatedly solving maze challenges with increasing complexity.

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Design a series of maze layouts with varying difficulty.
Program the EV3 robot to navigate each maze.
Analyze the robot's performance and refine the code.

Create a Resource Guide for FLL Challenges

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Enhance problem-solving skills by compiling a resource guide with tips, strategies, and code examples for tackling FLL challenges.

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Research common FLL challenges and their solutions.
Gather relevant code snippets and design ideas.
Organize the information into a user-friendly guide.

Career center

Learners who complete EV3 Skills and a Guide to Competitive Robotics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics engineers work at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, designing complex systems. This course introduces key concepts that a mechatronics engineer uses in their daily work. The course content, which focuses on integrating mechanical design, sensor technology, and programming skills, is directly applicable to mechatronic systems. This course is highly relevant because its focus on building and coding robots, specifically using motors, sensors, and software, helps build a foundation for the integration of these different disciplines, a core part of the work done by a mechatronics engineer. This course would be useful because it offers hands-on experience with the kind of technology that is used in mechatronics, which a person would not typically get just from learning about theory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Robotics Engineer

A robotics engineer designs, develops, and tests robots for a variety of applications. This course can help an aspiring robotics engineer by providing a foundation in robot design, construction, and programming using the EV3 platform. The course's focus on using sensors, motors, and coding helps build a strong understanding of how to make robots functional. The challenges and problem-solving exercises included in the course further prepares a student to take on complex engineering problems that they will encounter as a robotics engineer. This course is especially useful because it provides hands-on experience with the kind of components and coding environments that are central to robotics projects. A student who takes this course will better understand the different steps in the design process, and they will be better able to implement their designs in software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Robotics Technician

A robotics technician builds, maintains, and repairs robots, often in industrial settings. This course is a good introduction for this career because it covers many of the skills that a robotics technician uses. The course's focus on robot design, construction, and troubleshooting, along with practical exercises using the EV3 platform, provides useful hands-on experience. This course is especially useful for developing the core skills that are used in robotics work. By learning about robotics, motors, and sensors, a student can better troubleshoot problems and diagnose issues. Specifically, the sections on robot assembly, sensor integration, and the debugging of connection issues make this course extremely relevant for future robotic technicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Technician

Automation Engineer

An automation engineer designs and implements automated systems, often used in manufacturing and logistics. A course like this is useful for understanding the core principles of automation. The course teaches the fundamentals of operating electromechanical systems, a crucial aspect of the work that an automation engineer does. This course is especially useful for those wanting a career in automation because it teaches students how to use block coding and also how to design systems that make use of sensors and actuators; these skills are highly applicable in a variety of automation applications. By learning to solve problems and building an understanding of different devices, a student can better approach the challenging problems they will encounter in their career.

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Embedded Systems Engineer

An embedded systems engineer designs the software and hardware that control a specific piece of equipment or a system. This course is especially useful for an embedded systems engineer because it gives students an understanding of how the embedded systems that are found in robots work. The process of designing and coding different robotic functions, and doing so in the context of problem-solving exercises, mirrors the types of work that an embedded systems engineer does. Therefore, taking this course will help a student be better at writing code and working with hardware, both of which are essential requirements of the work. A future embedded systems engineer should take this course because it teaches them the fundamentals of interacting with electromechanical systems through code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

STEM Educator

A STEM educator teaches science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts, often in a school or informal setting. This course is useful for a STEM educator because it teaches robotics fundamentals that can be adapted into a curriculum. The course’s focus on hands-on activities, problem-solving, and block coding for the EV3 platform provides an engaging way to teach STEM concepts. This course would be helpful in particular because the curriculum includes well-structured lessons and exercises, which can be used as is or can be modified by an instructor. In addition, the course gives a prospective STEM educator experience in operating and coding robots, as well as a feel for the types of struggles that students might encounter.

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Educational Technology Specialist

An educational technology specialist integrates technology into educational environments to enhance learning. A course like this can help because it provides a solid understanding of how to use the LEGO EV3 platform, which is a popular educational tool. This course introduces the basic principles of robotics, coding, and sensor integration, which are all relevant when teaching with robots. A student should take this course because it gives a practical understanding of how to design lessons that make robots a useful teaching tool. This course gives experience in working with a hands-on tool that is increasingly found in classrooms today, and it also gives the perspective of a student who must learn the material using that tool, both of which are helpful for an educational technology specialist.

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Control Systems Engineer

A control systems engineer designs and implements control systems for various applications. This course may be useful for a control systems engineer because it introduces the feedback loops that are essential in all control systems. The course's focus on using sensors, actuators, and coding to control robots provides a foundation for understanding control systems. A student learns about the practical implementation of feedback mechanisms, since the course requires them to implement similar control structures in their coding projects. This hands-on experience can therefore be a good starting place for a future control systems engineer.

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Product Designer

A product designer researches, designs, and develops new products. This course may be helpful for a product designer because it teaches problem-solving and design principles. The course challenges students to design robots to meet specific objectives, forcing them to go through the various stages of a design process. This course provides experience in iterative design by requiring students to implement and test their designs. A student who completes this course will have hands-on experience with a simplified design lifecycle, which could be useful when trying to improve and refine product designs. By learning to solve problems, that person will be better at designing all kinds of products.

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Mechanical Engineer

A mechanical engineer designs, develops, and tests mechanical devices and systems. This course may be useful to a mechanical engineer in that it introduces the principles of mechanical design as they apply to robotics. The course’s focus on building functional robots can provide a hands-on understanding of how mechanical parts operate together. Because this course deals with motors, actuators, and sensors, it could be a good first step for someone aspiring to this role. A mechanical engineer may find that the problem-solving aspect of this course is useful in their professional work.

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Software Developer

A software developer writes the code that makes software applications work. This course may be useful for a software developer because it introduces basic concepts of coding and software design. The course's focus on block coding, conditional statements, and loops can help build a foundation in programming principles. This course teaches students the principles of designing and implementing code by challenging them to design autonomous robots. This practice can help improve general skills in problem-solving, which will be helpful for someone wanting to become a software developer.

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Project Manager

A project manager plans, organizes, and oversees projects to completion. While this course is not directly related to project management, it may provide some useful experience. The course requires a student to design a functional robot that meets a certain set of requirements, and it offers challenges that must be approached systematically. A project manager could use the design experience from this course to become better at understanding and managing projects, especially ones that are technical. However, this course is not focused on the day-to-day responsibilities of a project manager, but rather on a particular technical domain.

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Industrial Designer

An industrial designer combines art and engineering to create designs for manufactured products. This course may help an industrial designer by introducing the kind of design process that an engineer might take. The course focuses on design considerations, implementation, and testing, which are all concepts that an industrial designer would encounter in their work. However, this course is not directly related to the day-to-day design work of an industrial designer, since it is primarily focused on robotics rather than the design of human-consumable products.

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Technical Writer

A technical writer creates documentation for technical products or processes. The course may be useful for a technical writer in that it introduces students to specific technical concepts, which they might not know already. While the course does not make anyone an expert, it may help to fill out the background knowledge of a technical writer. However, this course does not address the skills that a technical writer uses daily. There are better ways to learn to be a technical writer than taking this course, which only peripherally touches upon the role.

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Research Scientist

A research scientist conducts scientific studies and experiments. This course may be useful for a research scientist by introducing the kind of design process that an engineer might take when designing an experiment. This course also gives students the opportunity to methodically solve a challenge by designing, building, testing, and implementing. While these steps are all common to the creation of an experiment, this course is not directly focused on scientific methodology or theory. Thus, this course would not be a good place to start for a prospective research scientist.

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EV3 Skills and a Guide to Competitive Robotics

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