Kick Border

Yura-Rin

Attached at the base of the beetle robot’s horn is a touch sensor which detects the edges of the table to stop the robot automatically. To build this robot, students will build a standard robot car first, then install the touch sensor to have the car stop at the edge of the table. The students will learn the function of the touch sensor through the difference in movement.

Lady Dice

This robot makes use of the rotational motion of gears to enable the stretching and retracting motion. In the application class, students will be able to change the grip construction, and extend its reach by adding onto the rod’s repeating structure. Students can enjoy playing a pilot rescue game in class with this robot.

This robot bicycle requires a fine balance of forces for it to move on two wheels. Students will learn to build the basic bicycle portion before bringing in the cyclist to the vehicle in the application class. In order to make the bicycle move smoothly, students must learn to balance the left and right forces well, so can naturally experience the balance of power.

In making the base robot, gears embedded in this see-saw structure enable the vehicle and its pilot to move from left to right when the see-saw rocks. On the second day, students learn to automate the rocking movement. Through building this robot, students explore different weights and how they are balanced.

This robot skier moves forward using the poles attached to both arms. Students will learn to modify the robot to mimic a skier by adding tires or changing how to attach the arms. Students will also learn the concept of frictional force by observing the difference in the robot’s motions with and without the tires.

Kayak-kun

This robot moves forward when a weight is placed on its tray. When unloaded, the robot stops, and it will restart when any weight is placed again. The design is inspired by a doll of a boy serving tea (“cha-hakobiningyou”), from the Edo Period. 

This robot features the movement of pistons from a steam locomotive. As the robot moves forward, the pistons (or the gears) at both sides of the train reciprocate back and forth. After building the standard train, students learn to remodel the train by attaching an additional carriage (ex. coal carriage) to the train. 

Aru-King

Robo-Rail

Building the components of the robot requires a basic understanding in gears and shafts. In the application class, students will learn how to connect the rods, and make blades to resemble the shape of a bulldozer. As children love vehicle-shaped robots, they’re sure to find plenty of remodeling inspiration in this design.

This robot resembles a gorilla and marches forward on its long arms. By modifying the crank connection (a crank that connects the arm to the torso), students will be able to observe the change in motion. The feet could be replaced with wheels as a possible remodeling option.

This super cute robot rabbit is sure to grab kids’ attention! In the application class, students try remodeling to make the forearms and hind legs move in conjunction, and to make the ears move. Students also get to observe the difference in the movement by attaching the hind legs differently.

This robot duck walks in a comical manner, with its feet parallel to the floor by making use of parallel links. After making the base robot, the students can try their hand at remodeling, such as making its wings flap. The gears are exposed on the robot’s outer surface intentionally to allow for easy remodeling.

Ohana

Students will learn to build a bull robot with its 4 legs moving alternatively. This simple structure makes use of diagonally-crossed rods to create the 4-legged movement. Simple remote controllers are introduced on the second day to let students control the bull robot from a distance. Students can try to challenge each other or the tutors in a bull fight.

Students will learn that the distance between the fulcrum part of the wrist and the crank (connection part) determines the length of each arm strike. Students can then modify the robot to create their own unique robot monkey.

Students will learn how robot movements are produced through hands-on activities. The robot movements that the students will learn includes a mechanism that causes the feet of the robot to jump, a mechanism to return the raised feet to its original position, and a mechanism for the robot to move forward by kicking its hind legs.

Students will learn that linking mechanisms that combine different robot parts translates the rotational movement of the gear into the movement of the feet that move the dog forward. While actually building the robot dog, students will understand how to attach the linking mechanism in order to make the dog step out alternately and move forward faster.

Students will learn how to assemble parts that turn the motor's rotational motion into a motion in which the tail fin swings left and right. Students will also learn through observation how the stopper can unilaterally control the movement of the front wheels to prevent them from moving backwards, so that the robot can only swim forward, like a real fish.

Students will learn that cranks are not only used as a stopper for the wheels, but can also be used at ratchets (used to limit the direction of motion in mechanical engineering) to control the travel direction.

Students learn that there is a center of gravity on any object. In order to bi-pedal walk like a human being, it will be necessary to move the center of gravity together with an accurately-timed leg movement. Students will learn these things by creating a robot that can walk with a rotating weight on its head.

Students will learn to make the robot walk steadily by practicing to capture the position of the center of gravity through changing the head height, the position of the battery box, the feet length, etc.

Students learn to create a lock mechanism in the robot that initiates an attack using a bamboo sword in a sliding fashion, only when directly confronted by an obstacle. During the application class, students may remodel the robot’s flat bottom to give it more height. This changes the amount of friction the robot has with the floor, enabling it to move in more directions.

Students will learn how to build gears that robots need to turn its arm slowly like a human being. Additionally, they will learn how to safely stop the rotating robot, and learn how to devise a method of assembly to keep the robot intact when rolling forward.

Students will learn to make the robot walk more steadily on its two feet by lowering the center of gravity through mounting the motor at a lower portion of the robot, or to design its feet into a U-shaped structure.

Students will learn to modify the arm portion of the robot to adjust the acceleration and the throwing force. The students will also be able to practice their math by calculating the points scored from the bowling game.

Students will find out that they can make the spinning top turn fasterby combining a smaller gear than the one attached to the motor. Students will also create their own original spinning top, learning to modify the weight and size of the spinning top to make it more stable and spin longer.

Students learn to arrange wheels so that this robot can overcome steps that standard cars cannot. Students will build a unique rescue car that can run on jagged roads often seen after natural disasters.

Students will learn to build a robot that can walk on two legs with the support of feet with a wide surface area, and with a reduced load by attaching a rear car.

Students will learn about the role of a switch while paying attention to the flow of electricity. By combining parts, an automatic slide switch can be created, and with this switch students will create a robot working like a sensor that goes in the opposite direction when it hits a wall.

Students will learn to improve the movement of the oars by modifying the interlocking of the gears in order to make the pedaling action smoother. Students will also learn how the boat can move forward using the tips of the oars as the fulcrum.

Students learn about the mechanisms of the rollers at the suction mouth area of this robot cleaner through visualization, and will learn to adjust the angle of the roller portion for the machine to pick up and hold on to trash components more easily. In the application class, they also experiment that the speed of the roller and the tires can be changed through gear combinations.