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

General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pin, is a programmable pin found on microcontrollers and other digital devices

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

a physical connection point on a microcontroller, microprocessor or electronic component

acts as the return path for electric current and is essential for a circuit to work properly

hardware that takes signals and manages how a motor behaves

a collection of pre-written code that you can use to make programming easier and faster

the base frame or structure that supports and holds components

able to withstand force, pressure or wear

looking at something carefully to see if you can find any problems

sound waves that have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing

the length of the space between two points

a device which detects or measures a physical property such as sound or light

the surroundings or conditions something exists in or reacts to

something that relates to light and vision

something that bounces back light or other waves like sound

a machine used for transporting people or goods

something that operates independently without human intervention

when two or more things work together in a certain way

to look over something carefully to check, improve or evaluate it

careful thought about something before making a decision or forming an opinion

to create something new or improve something in a fresh, original way

a structured delivery of information, ideas or arguments to an audience

things such as pictures, diagrams, charts and videos used to give information to an audience

specialised language used by a specific group, often not easily understood by people outside that group

information relating to a subject, often requiring special knowledge or expertise

Primary

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Secondary

Year 7

Year 8

Using physical computing to create a robot buggy

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