Turn measurement into better control
Students define error, apply proportional correction, compare fair trials, tune from evidence, coordinate several sensors, and build bounded recovery instead of hoping a fixed command works everywhere.
ROBOTICS TRACK / LEVEL 04 ROADMAP
Robot Control Lab
Replace guess-and-check motion with measured error, continuous correction, controlled tuning, and safe recovery.
Roadmap status: depends on the Level 3 robot baseline
This plan assumes a physically validated Level 3 robot and adds a provisional no-solder servo mechanism. Neither the platform nor mechanism is a purchase recommendation yet. The goal and sequence may be refined after Level 3 testing.
Level 3 measurement habits are dependable
- Meet the Level 3 academic and safety readiness gates.
- Reset fair trials and record repeated measurements.
- Distinguish accuracy from a single successful run.
- Calibrate a sensor and tune one value at a time.
- Work with decimals, multiplication, and positive/negative direction.
PROVISIONAL HARDWARE
Keep the robot; improve the controller
The approved Level 3 robot
Level 4 is intentionally planned around the same motors, encoders, distance sensor, line and color sensors, IMU, toolchain, and test environment established in Level 3.
One no-solder servo mechanism
A bounded physical action—such as placing, lifting, or releasing a lightweight item—will add range, load, mounting, and recovery constraints without introducing a second robot platform.
Planning estimate: $15–$45 incremental beyond the reused Level 3 hardware. Do not buy a mechanism or servo for this level until the baseline is physically approved.
PLANNED LEARNING ARC
Twelve lessons
Lesson 01 / EvidenceAccuracy, precision, repeatability, range, and fair tests
Define the measurement language needed for defensible robot experiments.
Lesson 02 / WheelsEncoder feedback and proportional correction
Use measured wheel error to correct unequal motion continuously.
Lesson 03 / SteeringContinuous line error
Replace discrete left/right rules with proportional steering.
Lesson 04 / TuneGain, overshoot, and response
Change one value per fair trial and compare the resulting behavior.
Lesson 05 / TurnIMU feedback, target angle, and tolerance
Correct toward a measured heading and define when the turn is complete.
Lesson 06 / PrioritiesMulti-sensor arbitration
Decide which evidence controls the robot when sensors disagree or priorities compete.
Lesson 07 / RecoverSearch, timeout, fallback, and safe failure
Bound recovery attempts and preserve a reliable stop.
Lesson 08 / MissionsCommands represented as data
Separate mission instructions from the functions that execute them.
Lesson 09 / MechanismServo calibration and safe action functions
Establish unloaded range, mounting, power, and load limits before a physical task.
Lesson 10 / RegressionTest matrix and edge cases
Prove that a correction fixes its target without breaking known-good behavior.
Lesson 11 / IntegrateCourier or rescue prototype
Combine feedback, priorities, mission data, mechanism actions, and recovery.
Lesson 12 / DefendRepeated mission trial and tradeoff
Compare trials, revise one decision, and defend the final control tradeoff.
CAPSTONE + READINESS
Courier or rescue mission
A robot that acts and recovers
The planned robot follows a route, recognizes a station or object, responds to an obstruction, performs one bounded physical action, and recovers safely from an expected failure.
Explain the controller, not just the outcome
Students should be able to define error, vary one tuning value per fair test, explain proportional correction, implement bounded recovery, and preserve a safe local stop.