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Stuff Every Robotics Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Robotics merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Robotics Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Computer Architecture

What does the word robot come from?

Short answer: A Czech word for forced labor

Robot comes from the Czech robotnik, meaning forced worker, from robota.

Groan of the day: That word has a real work ethic.

Sources: Robot

What does an autonomous robot do?

Short answer: Operates on its own to some degree

Autonomous robots can operate independently, unlike remote-control vehicles.

Groan of the day: It is independent minded.

Sources: Robot

What is a nanobot built at?

Short answer: A microscopic scale

Nanorobots have components close to the microscopic scale of a nanometer.

Groan of the day: That robot is a small wonder.

Sources: Robot

What do swarm robots do together?

Short answer: Perform a useful task as a group

Many simple robots together can perform a useful task through swarm behavior.

Groan of the day: They really get in a buzz.

Sources: Robot

What is an android?

Short answer: A humanoid robot

Androids are humanoid robots that resemble humans aesthetically.

Groan of the day: That android is a real looker.

Sources: Robot

What is a cyborg?

Short answer: A human augmented with machines

A cyborg is a human augmented with artificial machines.

Groan of the day: That cyborg is part of the machine.

Sources: Robot

What does a robot chemist do in a lab?

Short answer: Operates instruments and makes decisions

The modular robot can operate lab instruments and decide its next actions.

Groan of the day: That robot has good chemistry.

Sources: Robot

What is a service robot meant to do?

Short answer: Perform services useful to humans

A service robot operates semi or fully autonomously to perform services useful to humans.

Groan of the day: That robot is of service.

Sources: Robot

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • Sensors let a robot detect things around it, such as distance or light, so it can react.
  • Telerobots are remotely operated by a human instead of following a fixed sequence.
  • An end effector is attached to the arm and does the actual work, like gripping.
  • Robot comes from the Czech robotnik, meaning forced worker, from robota.
  • Czech author Karel Capek used robot in his play R.U.R.
  • George Devol built the Unimate, sold to General Motors in 1961.
  • Autonomous robots can operate independently, unlike remote-control vehicles.
  • AGVs follow markers, wires, vision, or lasers to move goods around facilities.
  • Pick-and-place robots remove tiny electronic components and place them on circuit boards accurately.
  • Space is physically inaccessible, so robots explore where humans cannot easily go.
  • Nanorobots have components close to the microscopic scale of a nanometer.
  • Many simple robots together can perform a useful task through swarm behavior.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What does a robot use to gather information about its surroundings?
    • A sensor
    • A battery
    • A wheel
    Show the answer

    A sensor. Sensors let a robot detect things around it, such as distance or light, so it can react.

  2. What is a nanobot built at?
    • The size of a car
    • A microscopic scale
    • The size of a building
    Show the answer

    A microscopic scale. Nanorobots have components close to the microscopic scale of a nanometer.

  3. What should you do before choosing your robot task?
    • Buy a new kit
    • Enter a competition
    • Get counselor approval
    Show the answer

    Get counselor approval. You choose a task with your counselor's approval before building.

  4. What does a robot need to accept electronic programming?
    • A programmable control system
    • A paint finish
    • A loud speaker
    Show the answer

    A programmable control system. Robots tend to accept electronic programming and process data electronically.

  5. What is a service robot meant to do?
    • Only fly drones
    • Perform services useful to humans
    • Only build cars
    Show the answer

    Perform services useful to humans. A service robot operates semi or fully autonomously to perform services useful to humans.

Now make it stick

Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.

This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 8 are in the game for members.

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