⚙️ Module 2: Actuators

How do robots move?

Explore motors and servos that turn commands into physical motion.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand actuators (motors/servos) as "outputs" that move the robot
  • Learn how joint angles map to arm poses
  • Control the robot arm manually via sliders

Hands-On Activities (Robot)

  • Servo control: Move each joint with sliders. Experiment with shoulder, elbow, wrist, and gripper. Feel how one joint affects the whole arm.
  • Rest position and safe ranges: Learn the arm's rest pose and which angles are safe. Practice returning to rest.
  • Trace a path: Move the arm along a simple shape (circle, square) drawn on the table. Discuss smooth vs. jerky motion.
  • Pick and place: Using slider control only, pick up a small object (e.g., block, toy) from one spot and place it in another. Reinforces coordinated multi-joint control and end-effector positioning.

Off-Robot / Tactile Activity: Human Robot Relay

Reinforces: Joints + angles = pose. Actuators move each joint.

How to Run It
  1. Kids form a "robot arm" chain: each person is one joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist).
  2. One teammate (navigator) calls out joint angles (e.g., "elbow: 90°").
  3. The chain moves to match. Switch roles each round.
👥 Team activity

Teamwork

  • Driver + navigator: one operates sliders, one directs the motion
  • Create a "pose card" deck: draw arm poses and have teammates reproduce them on the robot