In a short film about physical computing 鶹Լ Radio 1 presenter Dev encounters an environmentally friendly Robot Delivery Vehicle.
The Robot is designed to make last-mile home deliveries of small items and Dev discovers how it interacts with pedestrians, avoids obstacles, and keeps its cargo safe.
Animated sequences show how autonomous vehicles use GPS & geo-location identification, computer mapping and the application of safest & shortest path algorithms for optimal routing.
Teacher Notes
Pupils could investigate how a computer controlled robot deals with the unexpected. They could list the various tools the robots uses to deal with the unfamiliar settings, the environmental challenges and anything else it might come across.
A further classroom discussion could be based around social acceptance, “Robophobia” & robots in society; moving away from sci-fi into what we have now and in the near future. Great care has been taken with the design to make them look non-threatening. Pupils could discuss whether the Robot looks friendly, and create their own friendly-robot design.
They could discuss what will we have in 5/10/20 years time? Are we close to a world in which our streets – and maybe even skies – will be filled with robots and other autonomous devices?
Curriculum Notes
This clip will be relevant for teaching Computer Science. This topic appears in OCR, Edexcel, AQA, WJEC KS4/GCSE in England and Wales, CCEA GCSE in Northern Ireland and SQA National 4/5 in Scotland.
More from the series Computer Science: Problem Solved
How to create Smart Cities. video
In this short film about Smart Cities and WiFi networks, 鶹Լ Radio 1 presenter Dev investigates how an urban data network can be designed (using the city of Bristol as an example).
Creating secure messaging systems. video
A look at the fundamental principles of encryption: 鶹Լ Radio 1 presenter Dev asks how we can send secure messages over an insecure system and has some basic advice about E-safety.
Using 3D visualisation technology for online shopping. video
Can computational thinking and digital innovation solve the problem of high returns in online clothes retailing?
