ADVICE FROM A CATERPILLAR: The Caterpillar

Programming level 1

Alice changes size

P1

How to build

Alice changes size

  • Build the Caterpillar, Big Alice, and Small Alice.
  • Build the Mushroom, the Caterpillar, the Little and the Big Alice
  • The Caterpillar rotates on an axle on the cap of the mushroom.

a.)Build a mechanical construction

  • Under the cap of the mushroom, the two Alices of different sizes can be moved forwards or backwards by means of an axial mechanism.
  • Wherever the Caterpillar turns, the Alice is propelled forward.

b.) Build a programmable structure: using 1 basemount and 1 DC motor.

  • On the mushroom stalk, 1 DC motor moves the Alices, so that the smaller or the larger Alice are moved forward.
  • The robot's program starts automatically.

P1

Alice changes size "A" version

Alice changes size "B" version

P1

P1

Programming level 2

Alice changes size with control

P2

How to build

Alice changes size with control

  • P2
  • Build the mushroom, the Caterpillar, the small and the big Alice, as in P1
  • The two differently sized Alice figures are mounted on the stalk of the mushroom, jointed to 1-1 Servo motor on each side.
  • At the beginning, both Big and Small Alice will be at the back, pretending to be hiding.
  • The two figures are controlled and moved forward and backward by 1-1 Touch sensor.
  • The change of size is indicated by the flashing of 1 white LED.
  • The Caterpillar can be rotated on the axis in the direction of the Alice moved forwards.

P2

Alice changes size with control

P2

P2

Programming level 3

Alice, the Caterpillar and the Dove

P3

How to build

Alice, the Caterpillar and the Dove

  • Build the mushroom and Alice figures as in P2 (2 servo motors, 2 Touch sensors)
  • 1 servo motor is built into the mushroom cap, it rotates the Caterpillar on top of the cap.
  • Mount an IR Photoreflector on the front of the robot. If it detects the presence of the Pigeon, the Caterpillar will randomly rotate to the right or left on top of the mushroom.
  • The LED mounted on the Caterpillar flashes after the turn and after the turn back.
  • Wherever the Caterpillar is turned, pressing the Touch sensor associated with that Alice will move the Alice figure of that size forward and then back.

P3

Alice, the Caterpillar and the Dove

P3

P3

Caterpillar

Programming level 4

Expanding mushroom

P4

How to build

Expanding mushroom

  • The two Alice figures are mounted on both sides of the mushroom stalk with 1-1 servo motor, similar to P3.
  • The mushroom cap is also fitted with 1-1 Servo motor, moving two differently sized cap pieces.
  • The Caterpillar is wedged between the two downward cap pieces to allow it to tilt freely to the right or left.
  • When the Pigeon is placed in front of one of the 2 IR Photoreflectors placed in front of the Mushroom, the Servo motor moves the Alice associated with that side back and forth, while the cap piece associated with that side tilts, also using a Servo motor.
  • The Caterpillar then always tilts in the direction in which the hat is bent. When the robot returns to its home position, the Buzzer will sound.

P4

Expanding mushroom

P4

P4