Introduction

I have made a simple robot that can polish shoes in a matter of seconds.
This machine can make the work of cobblers easier and even students can
save time with it. The shoe passes through three different sponges which
do various tasks: one plain one to remove the dust, and two other with
polish applied on them to give the brush a good shine. Also, it offers us
two different colours of polish: black and brown. It has a switch with which
we can control the movement of the motors (on, off) and also adjust the
speed.

Before
After

Structure
Now, lets get into the details of my project. I have also included a
photograph of the machine to assist you. (In the figure, I have attached
the polythene instead of sponge).

1 The three motors (Part A, B, C) make the axle (the long stick onto
which the sponge is stuck) rotate.
2 The two buttons on the brick (Part G) act as the switch.
3 The brick (Part G) understands the program and carries the
instructions out. Basically, it is the brain of the robot.
4 The wires (Part F) give power to the motors and sensors and also
connect them to the brick so that they receive instructions.
5 The stand (Part D) gives strength to the motors and fixes the wires
in their place.
6 The Wire Adjuster (Part H) ensures that the wires are in there place
and keeps them fixed.
7 The Speed Adjuster/The Slider (Part E) can adjust the speed of the
motors. (only in version S3)

How to Make It
Materials Required
15 Beams
11 Beams
9 Beams
12 Axles
Technic Dual Axle Joiners
Intelligent Brick
Touch Sensors

3 Motors
Dual Pin Connectors
Triple Pin Connectors
Liquid Polish (Black, Brown
both)
Shoe
3 Sponges

Beams

Axles

Connectors
Procedure
1 Make a stand using the beams and connectors. It should be strong
enough to hold the three motors and the brick.
2 Now, take the axles and the Dual Axle Joiner to make on large stick.
Attach it to the wheel of the motor and join it to the stand.
3 Attach the brick in the centre using some connectors. Make a stand
using beams to give some extra support to the brick.
4 Attach the touch sensors and wire them the motors to Points A, B
and C, and the sensors to Points 1 and 3.
5 Stick the sponges to the stick and apply liquid polish.
6 You are ready!

The Program (Version 2.0)

Every robot needs a program which gives instructions to it. Similarly, I also
made a program for the Shoe Polishing Machine. I programmed it using
the NXT-G programming language, which consists of many types of
commands called blocks. Now, I will introduce the program

1 The program starts with four Sound blocks, which are used to make
the robot speak. I have inputted the following words which are
needed to be spoken
Left Sensor Start
Right Sensor Stop
I have adjusted the volume to 75 and have chose the option Wait
for Completion so that the next instruction is carried out after the
first task is complete.

2 Then I inserted a loop, which means that all the instructions inside
the loop have to be repeated unlimited times until the user closes
the robot.

3 I inserted a Wait block, selected the Touch Sensor option and chose
Point 2 and selected Bumped option. (means that the robot has to
wait until the Touch Sensor connected to Point 2 is bumped)

4 Then I inserted a Move Block, chose option Point A, B and C,

selected the forward direction, adjusted the power to 100 and
changed the duration to Unlimited. (this means that when the
Touch Sensor is bumped, then the robot has to move the motors
connected to Points A, B and C to the forward direction, with the
maximum power)

5 I inserted another Wait block, selected the Touch Sensor option and
chose Point 3 and selected Bumped option. (means that the robot
has to do the previous task until the Touch Sensor connected to
Point 3 is bumped)
6 In the end, I inserted another Move block, chose option Point A, B
and C and chose the Stop option (means that if the Touch Sensor
connected to Point 3 is bumped then the robot has to stop the
motors).

How it Evolved
I had made many different versions of this robot in order to overcome
many difficulties and improve the design.
1 26th August 2013 Version Start

Pros:
Can polish a shoe in 5
minutes

Cons:
The Stand is falling down
due to the weight of the
motors
No Sensor
Program not working well,
sometimes the motors do
not start.
The wires come in between
of the sponge

2 31st August 2013 Version RCX

Program is working well.

Cons:
Stand is too weak still
Motors are not standing but
swinging here and there
No sensor
The wires come in between
of the sponge
Pros:

3 7th September 2013 Version 0.1

Pros:
New design
Cons:
Motor is swinging
The stand is too weak
No sensor

4 2nd October 2013 Version 1.0

Pros:
Touch sensor acts as a
button
The stand is better
Cons:
Motor is not firmly
fixed
Brick is coming in
between
of
the
sponge
Needs more power to
rotate the axle fast
enough

5 6th October 2013 Version 1.1

Pros:
Three
motors
more power

for

Better wiring

Cons:
Stand is weak
Why do we need two
sensors if we can do
the same work with
one?
Program
needs
repairing
Wire cannot go down
from under the beam
(needs to go from
above,
but
then
comes in between of
the sponge)

6 20th October 2013 Version 2.0

Pros:
Wire Adjuster
Very strong stand
Cons:
Needs a speed
adjuster
It would be better if
the bricks and motors
would be wireless and
operate from Wi-Fi

7 27th October 2013 Version S3

Pros:
Speed Adjuster
Cons:
Needs Wi-Fi Operator

FUTURE
8 Version 4

Pros:
Fully Automatic just enter shoe and receive a polished shoe
in 1 minute!
Wi-Fi (no wiring to be done)
Conveyer Belt
Light Sensor and Ultrasonic Sensor replace Touch Sensor

Will Release on 1st February 2014!!!

About Robotics
What is a robot?
A robot is a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions
automatically. Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the
design, construction and programming of a robot.

What are the various uses of robots?

There are many uses of a robot
1 In manufacturing - To help make stuff, faster and with more more
quality control
2 In processing operations - fitted with cameras to sort foods quality
3 In inaccessible areas - very small robots accessing places we can't
go, or space exploration missions
4 In dangerous areas - inside nuclear reactors to check them out
5 In the military - to keep humans out of harms way
6 In medical environments - helping surgeons perform operations
7 To assist disabled people - with the use and control artificial limbs
8 To help market their products - the Honda Robot, Vacuum Robot
9 To find out what they are capable of doing - in universities and
research organizations.
10 In toys - Very simple robotic techniques are used in toys for
children.

What is Lego NXT 1.0?

The NXT 1.0 is a kit developed by Lego Education for educational
purposes. It allows children and adults to make simple, working robots like
Peg Sorter, Baseball Pitcher, Explorer, etc.

What are the basic requirements to make a simple robot?

The basic requirements are
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Intelligent Brick
Beams
Axles
Connectors
Gears
Wheels
Programming Language
Sensors
Motors

What is the Intelligent Brick?

The Intelligent Brick is the brain of the robot. It understands and runs the
program. It supplies power to the sensors and motors. There are 8 ports
on it - 4 for attaching sensors, 3 for the motors and 1 to connect it to a
computer.
What are sensors and motors?
Sensors are small gadgets which help the brick and act as the sense
organs of the robot. The Ultrasonic sensor for seeing, the Sound sensor for
hearing, the Touch sensor to detect the touch, the Light/Color sensor for
determining the color, the Temperature sensor for measuring temperature
and the Compass sensor for determining the directions.

How can we make a robot?

There are over 500 parts - axles, connectors, beams, bricks, gears,
wheels, claws, etc. We build the body of the robot using these different
parts. After making the body of the robot, we need to program it. The NXT
1.0 kit comes with an easy language to program our robot called NXT-G
which consists of several types of blocks. Many users have also
programmed the robots using other languages like C++, Java and VB.
After making the program, we need to load it to the brick and we are
ready!

Survey
Introduction
What is the best definition of a robot?
a) A loyal servant

c) A machine that can be very useful

b) Mad killing machine

d) All of These

Is a robot more reliable than a human?

a) Yes

c) Cant say

b) No

Job of a robot
What is the use of a robot?
a) Work in assembly lines of factories
b) Perform various operations

c) Perform dangerous jobs that man

cant do
d) All of these

Do you think robots can replace humans in factories?

a) Yes, because they can work more
faster

c) Both a and b
d) Cant say

b) No, because they cannot do minor

jobs that only humans can do with
perfection

Who is more reliable a doctor or a robotic operation controller?

a) A doctor, because it is more
experienced

c) A robot, because it doesnt have

emotions

b) A robot

d) It depends on the circumstances

Do you think that most people who do dangerous jobs can be replaced
by robots?

a) Yes, because a robot can perform

these jobs better

c) Yes, because if there is some

mistake a human life wouldnt be lost

b) No, Reason -

d) Both a and c

Is Artificial Intelligence useful?

a) Yes

c) Maybe

b) No

d) Cant say

How do you think the development of AI will affect human relations?

a) Positively

c) It wouldnt affect anything

b) Negatively

d) Cant say

Further Questions
How will the use of robots affect our lives?
a) It will make them more comfortable
b) Negatively, as people would become lazy
c) Both a and b

What do you think how much would an average sized robot cost?
a) < Rs. 10,000

c) Rs. 20,000 Rs. 30,000

b) Rs. 10,000 20,000

d) > Rs. 30,000

What do you think about robots uprising humans?

a) It happens only in science fiction
b) May happen if Artificial
Intelligence is born

c) It will be true in some years from

now
d) Other -

What is your opinion on living in a fully robot controlled environment?

a) It would feel safe

c) Both a and b

b) It would be more luxurious

d) There would be no privacy

Knowledge on Robotics

Have you seen a real robot before?

a) Yes. Seen at TV, Internet, etc.
b) Yes. Seen in real life.
c) No.

Which is the worlds most advanced robot according to you?

a) ASIMO

c) HPR - 4

b) Ecci

d) Nao

In your opinion, which region makes the most of the robots?

a) Japan

c) Europe

b) USA

d) China

Summary
Do you think robots are wonders of science?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Yes, if they are used properly

***
By
Prakhar Mittal
Class VI - K