Yo!Bots plus iPods Yo!Bots are a kind of programmable floor robot, which you can operate through an app in the iPod that come as part of the set. The robots themselves may feature Yo!Bot branding or the retro Bigtrak design pictured below.
Programmer Mode Fit the iPod into the Yo!Bot by pulling back the slider to its rear. To use your Yo!Bot in ‘Programmer’ mode simply tap on the Yo!Bot icon in the home screen of the app, tap through the various instructions and then choose ‘Programmer’. If it asks you to name your Yo!Bot, make sure it’s something simple and memorable. Pay close attention to the instruction screens, particularly the one about turning; it’s useful to note that the Yo!Bot does not use degrees in its turns, but uses a system based on the minute hand of a clock. Like ProBots and Pippins you can use the ‘Programmer’ mode to build up sets of directional instructions specifying direction, distance and degree of turn. Before running the program make sure the robot is on a smooth, flat, hard surface with nowhere to fall and nothing to bump into. It can be difficult to predict its movements, especially the first time you use it. Once your instructions are finished, simply press ‘Go’ to watch the robot perform them.
Wi-Fi Mode What makes Yo!Bots special is their ability to work in a similar way to a flying drone. When connected the the same Wi-Fi as your computer you can control the robot remotely, using the camera in the iPod to see where you’re going. To get started, go to the Yo!Bot website and look for the Wi-Fi symbol pictured.
London Connected Learning Centre
Email:
[email protected] Tel: 0207 720 7514
Yo!Bots plus iPods Before connecting your devices, make sure they are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise they will not recognise each other. In the Yo!Bot menu of the app, select the ‘Wi-Fi’ icon. If you haven’t already named your Yo!Bot you may have to do so now, or you can tap ‘Change’ to rename it. Next, choose whether you would like to look through the iPod’s front or rear camera. Front is probably easiest! Once you’ve done this the iPod will start searching for a device to connect with. In your computer browser you can now click on the ‘WebDriver’ icon to start the command interface on your computer. It will ask you for the name you gave your Yo!Bot. Make sure you type the same one you typed into the iPod. The two devices with now search for one another. When they find each other you will see the iPod’s camera view as below. You can reflect the camera image and change its quality using the buttons on the right. To control you robot you can drag the white circle at the bottom of the screen towards the various directional arrows. However, it can be slightly oversensitive and difficult to control. Another option is to use the arrow keys on your computer keyboard. This tends to be a more reliable way of getting around! Once it’s up and running you can explore the area...
In your classroom Yo!Bots can help pupils develop lists of instructions (algorithms), and to test and refine their instructions. Why not challenge them to test their skills with some activities like: •
Building a maze or obstacle course for the robots to complete
•
Timing a lap around an area to see who can complete it the fastest
London Connected Learning Centre
Email:
[email protected] Tel: 0207 720 7514
