Advanced Robotics with Mecanum Wheels and Robotic Arm. Block-Based
VAT inc
Available for 8+ years old
The starting day is 20 Sep 2025 at 10.40
Girls and boys are very welcome!
Advanced Robotics with Mecanum Wheels and Robotic Arm – Block-Based Programming with Robium Code
Prerequisite: Robotics with Robium Car: Block-Based Coding for Young Engineers
This advanced robotics course is designed exclusively for students who have already completed the "Robotics with Robium Car" course and are ready to take the next step in engineering and programming.
In this course, children aged 10 and up will build and program a robust robotic vehicle from the ground up. The robot features a durable aluminum chassis, four Mecanum wheels for omnidirectional movement, and a functional robotic arm with a claw. Powered by an ESP32 and three motor drivers, it is equipped with two brightness sensors for line following and a color sensor used as a command input (e.g., red line = one command, blue = another).
Using the advanced Robium Code block-based environment—designed to ease the transition into text-based coding—students will learn to:
- Assemble and wire the robot and all of its components
- Control complex movement using Mecanum wheel kinematics
- Follow tracks and curves using brightness sensors
- Interpret commands through color detection
- Use the robotic claw to interact with physical objects
- Complete dynamic tasks and line-based challenges
In the second phase of the course, students will implement wireless remote control by building a custom joystick. A second ESP32 will be installed into the joystick casing, and students will configure communication between the two devices using ESP-NOW or a similar peer-to-peer protocol. Each joystick will be individually paired with its corresponding robot to ensure accurate, interference-free control even when multiple robots operate in the same room simultaneously.
This introduces key concepts such as wireless communication, event-driven logic, and real-time control, expanding students’ understanding of how modern robots are operated remotely.
As with all our courses, each student’s learning path is personalized according to their interests and goals, discussed individually during enrollment. This ensures a meaningful and engaging experience tailored to each participant.
By the end of the course, students will have gained hands-on experience with advanced robotic systems, including mechanics, electronics, wireless networking, and logic-based control—preparing them for even more ambitious robotics challenges ahead.
This course has 10 lessons. Classes run from 10.40 to 11.40 every Saturday
This course is ready for 8+ years old. Girls and boys are very welcome!
Location
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.
Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RE
Term dates
The first lesson at 20 Sep
The last lesson at 18 Oct
Half-term break.
The first lesson at 8 Nov
The last lesson at 6 Dec
As with all our courses, each student’s learning path is personalized according to their interests and goals, discussed individually during enrollment. This ensures a meaningful and engaging experience tailored to each participant.
By the end of the course, students will have gained hands-on experience with advanced robotic systems, including mechanics, electronics, wireless networking, and logic-based control—preparing them for even more ambitious robotics challenges ahead.
This is a next level course designed for students who already have some foundational experience in robotics and coding. To get the most out of this course, the following requirements must be met:
- Computer Skills: You should feel confident using a computer, keyboard, and mouse at a good user level.
- Basic File Management: You should understand how to save and open files, what files and folders are, and how to organize them on a computer.
- Interest and Persistence: You are excited about programming robots and ready to face the challenges that come with learning advanced robotic systems.
- Prior Robotics Experience: Previous experience working with a robotic vehicle is strongly recommended. This could be with various robotics kits using block-based or even text-based coding.
- Course Prerequisite: Ideally, you have completed our course "Robotics with Robium Car: Block-Based Coding for Young Engineers", as it lays the essential groundwork needed for this advanced program.