using code and electronic components to interact with the physical world

a small computer on a single chip that’s designed to control simple devices and systems

a computer built into a device to perform one specific task or a small set of tasks

connection points on a microcontroller that you can program to send or receive signals

Introduction to physical computing

Computing

Working with motors

Chassis design and build

Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance

Optical sensors for navigation

Creating an autonomous vehicle

Adding additional features to your buggy

Presenting a physical computing project

This unit introduces pupils to physical computing by building a robotic buggy. They will use a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller to explore inputs and outputs, and utilise a range of hardware components, including motors, reflective optical sensors, LEDs, and an ultrasonic sensor.

Using physical computing to create a robot buggy

using code and electronics to interact with the real world

What is the small programmable device used to control circuits and components in physical computing?

a set of components connected to allow electricity to flow

Which statement best describes a circuit?

Put these steps in order for making an LED light up with a microcontroller:

a system with one specific function, like a washing machine

sends information out, like lighting an LED

What is the term for the part of a system that changes input into output?

Match each term to its correct description:

Put these steps in order for how a simple embedded system works:

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Introduction to physical computing

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.