Trash+Picker+Upper

We have completed the robot. We are now trying to attach the sound sensor to the robot to create the voice activator. We think our deisign is okay and we are hoping to start programming by tomorrow.
 * 5.14.09**



We finished creating the voice activator and attached it to the robot. Unfortunatley, it did not work and the program was too complex, but we plan on making some modifications. Luckily, however we found out how to make the claws open and close.
 * 5.15.09**

Today even though our group had soem difficulties at first and we were without some of our group members we had a very productive day. We completed a good portion of our research and more importantly made the modifications to our robot that needed to be done in order for it to work.
 * 5.18.09**



Today we focused on programming the robot to complete its task. Our attempt was succesful, however we discovered that our claws were too high from the ground to pick up litter, so we were trying to modify this.
 * 5.19.09**

Today we attached a second touch sensor to the robot so one touch sensor could be for steering the robot and the other would be for activating the claws. We also installed a sound and practiced controlling the robot. Lastly, we began working on our course.
 * 5.20.09**

We spent most of our time thinking of possible new names for our robot. In terms of building, we searched for a special type of long wire to attach to the robot.The day was a little slow because often the robot had to charge and we didn't have a plan B to work on.
 * 5.22.09**

Today we changed our name from Trash Picker Upper to Garbage Grabber. We made a lot of progress by modifying our program, finishing our research, and creating our survey. We are still searching for the long wires which may be a problem for us since supplies are so limited.
 * 5.26.09**



Today was very hectic because tomorrow is our last day to work on our robot. We completed our surveys and got everything mounted onto constuction paper. We were told to fix our program to give the person using it more control over what it does.
 * 5.27.09**

Today was the RoboFair and it ws tons of fun!! If you look at the picture on the right you will see a one of my group members sitting in a wheelchair. This was for an act we did to promote our product. We were showing people how our product helps disabled people. In the picture on the left you can see someone using the robot.
 * 5.29.09**

Last week was the Robo Fair and half of the time the robot worked while the other half of the time the claw kept detatching and the NXT box kept turning off. We discovered that the problem was that if you leave it on without using it, it will shut off. Some of the 4th graders were very rude and immature when we took their surveys. We tried not to let that bother us because we knew that we were not going to succeed the first time.It was an enormous difference at the Robo Fair all of the 4th graders were enormously fond of my group, as well as very patient, even when the robot kept falling apart.