The Robot Factory
The basic parts of the robot include the following:
- Torso – primary support structure
- Appendages – allow the ability to run, jump, walk, etc.
- Head – center of intelligence and skills
- Gadgets, Gizmos, & Tools – mechanical devices that provide skills and abilities
- Sensors – detect light, heat, motion, etc.
Rule #1 – a robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm*
The handbook provides a description of the various components needed to build your robot. You can be very creative when building your robots.You start by choosing a torso for your robot. Next you can choose the additional parts to attach to the torso. If you’d like, make your robot have 3 heads and a pogo stick for a leg.
The design of your robot impacts how it moves
Once you’ve assembled your robot, choose a color and proceed to test your robot in an environment. The environment has landslides, trees, bushes, etc. for you to explore. You can guide your robot by tapping/long pressing the screen. If your robot doesn’t survive in an environment, you can redesign your robot or start completely from scratch.
Rule #2 a robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law*
The app has vibrant and eye-catching graphics. Kids will enjoy creating their robots and subsequently testing each robot in a different environment. The app will allow you to see how different designs impact functions (symmetrical, asymmetrical, unbalanced, etc)
Rule #3 a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does Dot conflict with the First or Second Laws*
Overall this is a great interactive app with sounds, animations, and graphics that provides a fun environment to test your creative mind. The app is available on iOS devices and can be found in the iOS App Store.
*The Three Laws of Robotics – from the science fiction short story “Runaround” by Issac Asimov
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