ROBOTICS TEENS CLUB at ROCO – April – June 2025
By Damian Sofronie and Acu Ilie Dorin PhD, Costi Gavrilescu

This is a planned ROBOTICS TEENS  CLUB  at ROCO, and this blog post is a call for the COMMUNITY to EXPRESS INTEREST and give FEEDBACK, THOUGHTS and IDEAS (please consider this a living blog that will be updated with links and more details soon).

ROCO Robotics is an exciting, hands-on workshop offering the opportunity to explore the world of robotics, engineering, and coding in a collaborative, open-source environment.
Our program will be based on building a NASA ROVER clone, https://jplopensourcerover.com and therefore engages in essential STEM skills through real-world projects, teamwork, and problem-solving. Participants will build and program robots, work with electronics, learn project management, and develop creative solutions—all while having fun!  We plan to participate in robotics competitions.

ROCO Robotics is committed to fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration through open knowledge sharing, meaning all work and ideas created in the club become part of the PUBLIC DOMAIN. With weekly Saturday sessions from 3 to 5 PM, followed by remote review during the week, we will engage in a structured yet dynamic curriculum, gaining valuable experience in technology, teamwork, and leadership.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

This is a 10 week  pilot program for approximately 10 weeks - starting this spring, to establish a ROCO Robotics club. This will be followed by a full robotics program that run during next school year 2025/2026 (aproximate 16 weeks)
The following are the attempted meet dates, the curriculum DATA and CONTENT MIGHT BE MODIFIED as we might BUY the PARTS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. Our built will be based on NASA rover:
https://jplopensourcerover.com and https://github.com/nasa-jpl/open-source-rover

THE DATES bellow are TENTATIVE and they will be modified based on the feedback and final start date:

MEET  1: April 12, 2025: Project Introduction and Planning
○Overview of the Humanoids, Industrial and Rovers Controller project and its objectives.
○Assign team roles and responsibilities. Brief introduction to Agile Project Management
○Review the bill of materials (BOM) and identify required components.

MEET2. April 19, 2025: Parts Ordering and Logistics
○Initiate the first round of parts ordering.
○Finalize the list of suppliers and sources for components.
○Place orders for all necessary parts, ensuring estimated delivery within 10 days.
○Discuss contingency plans for potential shipping delays.

MEET 3.April 26, 2025: Design Review and Preparation
○Analyze the Rover Controller design and schematics in detail.
○Prepare the workspace and gather essential tools for assembly.
○Develop a detailed assembly plan and timeline.

MEET 4 May 3, 2025: Parts Arrival and Inventory Check
○ Confirm the arrival of all ordered components.
○ Conduct a thorough inventory to ensure all parts are correct and undamaged.
○ Address any discrepancies or missing items promptly.

MEET 5:  May 10, 2025: Motor Board and Rover Assembly – Session 1
○ Begin assembly of the motor control board, focusing on soldering and placement of primary components.
○ Ensure adherence to safety protocols during assembly.
○ Document the assembly process for future reference.

MEET 6: May 17, 2025: Motor Board and Rover Assembly – Session 2
○ Continue with the assembly, installing remaining components such as connectors and headers.
○ Perform visual inspections to verify correct component placement and solder joints.
○ Begin preliminary testing of individual sections of the motor board.


MEET 7: May 24, 2025: Motor Board Assembly – Session 3
○ Complete the final assembly steps, including any necessary wiring and enclosure fitting.
○ Conduct comprehensive testing of the motor board to ensure functionality.
○ Troubleshoot and resolve any issues identified during testing.

MEET 8 May 31, 2025: Buffer Session
○ Allocate time to address any delays or challenges encountered in previous sessions.
○ If assembly is on schedule, begin integration of the motor board with other rover systems.
○ Review project timeline and adjust future sessions as needed.

MEET 9. June 7, 2025: System Integration – Part 1
○ Integrate the motor board with the rover's main control system.
○ Establish communication between the motor board and the Rover Controller.
○ Test motor functionalities and responsiveness to control inputs.

MEET 10 June 14, 2025: System Integration – Part 2
○ Fine-tune motor control parameters for optimal performance.
○ Integrate additional sensors and peripherals as outlined in the project scope.
○ Ensure all systems are cohesive and functioning as intended.

MEET 11 June 21, 2025: Testing and Calibration
○ Conduct field tests to evaluate the rover's performance in real-world conditions.
○ Calibrate sensors and control systems based on test data.
○ Document test results and make necessary adjustments.

MEET 12. June 28, 2025: Final Review and Demonstration
○ Present the completed rover project to stakeholders or team members.
○ Demonstrate the rover's capabilities and discuss potential improvements.
○ Reflect on the project journey and gather feedback for future endeavors.

 
The Course consists of 10 to 12 Weeks for more than 36 hours of Training and collaboration. There is no refund for withdrawal or absence. However, we will provide online access to some of the courses, and try to accommodate circumstances when a student cannot come for one hands-on meet.
If you have questions, comments or questions please  email [email protected] (you can call too 50735929)

We are planning to start the workshop as soon as we reach minimum 10 participants.

Whether you are a beginner or an aspiring engineer, ROCO Robotics provides the perfect space to explore, experiment, and grow. JOIN US!

Thanks,

Dorin, Damian and Costi