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Robotics

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      Robotics

      Robotics quests build practical progression through the robotics skill tree. This page is a QA-oriented map of quest dependencies, process IO, and inventory gates.

      Quest tree

      1. Calibrate reflectance sensors
      2. Control a Servo Motor
      3. Build a line-following robot
      4. Make a Pan-Tilt Mount
      5. Build a Servo Gripper
      6. Assemble a Servo Arm
      7. Measure distance with an ultrasonic sensor
      8. Add Obstacle Avoidance
      9. Scan with a servo-mounted sensor
      10. Add Wheel Encoders
      11. Track distance with wheel encoders
      12. Balance with a gyroscope
      13. Navigate a Simple Maze

      1) Calibrate reflectance sensors (robotics/reflectance-sensors)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/reflectance-sensors
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: electronics/light-sensor, programming/hello-sensor
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • bench → "Hardware bench is ready." - Arduino Uno ×1, ultrasonic distance sensor ×1, Wheel Encoder ×1
        • calibrate → "I logged the floor/line min-max values." - Arduino Uno ×1
        • interpretation → "PASS: thresholds are stable enough for motion tests." - Arduino Uno ×1
        • validate → "Validation pass recorded." - Wheel Encoder ×1
        • retest → "Two consecutive passes succeeded; threshold is stable in motion." - Wheel Encoder ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • basic shell operator badge ×1
      • Processes used:
      • QA notes:
        • Includes an interpretation gate with explicit PASS/FAIL branch before motion validation.
        • Out-of-range branch loops through corrective actions (cleaning, height/glare adjustments) and mandatory re-test.

      2) Control a Servo Motor (robotics/servo-control)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/servo-control
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: electronics/arduino-blink
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • start → "Gear is ready-let's wire it." - Servo Motor ×1, Arduino Uno ×1, solderless breadboard ×1, Jumper Wires ×4, USB Type-A to Type-B cable ×1, precision screwdriver set ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1, Laptop Computer ×1
        • hookup → "Wiring is tidy and strain relief is done." - servo test rig ×1
        • safety-check → "Safety checks pass; run the first sweep." - servo test rig ×1
        • code → "Sweep log captured." - servo sweep log ×1
        • evidence → "Two clean sweeps recorded; center return is stable." - servo sweep log ×2
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Servo Motor ×1
      • Processes used:
        • wire-servo-test-rig
          • Requires: Servo Motor ×1, Arduino Uno ×1, solderless breadboard ×1, Jumper Wires ×4, precision screwdriver set ×1, USB Type-A to Type-B cable ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: servo test rig ×1
        • log-servo-sweep
          • Requires: servo test rig ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: servo sweep log ×1
      • QA notes:
        • Adds a safety gate before motion with explicit horn-clearance and low-range first sweep checks.
        • Uses mechanics-backed evidence gating through servo sweep log requirements before completion.
        • Adds a troubleshooting loop for chatter/binding with required re-verification before retry.

      3) Build a line-following robot (robotics/line-follower)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/line-follower
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/servo-control, robotics/reflectance-sensors
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • safety-check → "Safety checks done; begin timed passes." - Servo Motor ×2
        • evidence → "Three clean laps recorded; line follower is ready." - Servo Motor ×2
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • 3D Printed Phone Stand ×1
      • Processes used:
      • QA notes:
        • Supports two strategies (threshold-first and PID-first), then converges through safety checks.
        • Completion is gated on a mechanics-backed evidence step: three clean laps without leaving tape.
        • Includes a troubleshooting loop for drift, oscillation, and wiring/speed-limit recovery.

      4) Make a Pan-Tilt Mount (robotics/pan-tilt)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/pan-tilt
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/servo-control
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • parts → "Servos mounted and cable paths cleared." - Servo Motor ×2
        • safety → "Safety checks pass; run sweep validation." - Servo Motor ×2
        • sweep-test → "Sweep log captured with stable center return." - Servo Motor ×2
        • evidence → "Pan-tilt mount validated and ready for sensor payloads." - Servo Motor ×2
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • 3D Printed Phone Stand ×1
      • Processes used:
      • QA notes:
        • Adds strategy branching for assembly order (pan-first vs tilt-first) before convergence.
        • Adds an explicit safety gate and tolerance-based evidence requirement (<3° center error).
        • Adds a troubleshooting loop for binding, jitter, and hard-stop impacts before closure.

      5) Build a Servo Gripper (robotics/servo-gripper)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/servo-gripper
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/servo-control
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • start → "Bench is clear and parts are staged." - Servo Motor ×1
        • plan → "Use direct horn mount for a compact build." - Servo Motor ×1
        • plan → "Use offset linkage for gentler grip." - Servo Motor ×1
        • assemble → "Jaws move freely through full range." - Servo Motor ×1
        • safety → "Soft-object test passes with smooth release." - servo test rig ×1
        • evidence → "Three controlled cycles complete." - servo test rig ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • 3D Printed Phone Stand ×1
      • Processes used:
      • QA notes:
        • Replaces linear flow with strategy branching (direct horn vs offset linkage) before convergence.
        • Adds a safety gate for capped grip force and soft-object testing before final validation.
        • Adds a recovery loop for linkage rub/stall issues with mandatory re-entry checkpoints.

      6) Assemble a Servo Arm (robotics/servo-arm)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/servo-arm
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/servo-gripper
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • start → "Kit and tools are ready." - two-servo arm kit ×1, Servo Motor ×2, precision screwdriver set ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
        • build → "Arm swings freely and the gripper opens." - assembled servo arm ×1
        • safety-check → "Safety checks pass; start calibration." - assembled servo arm ×1
        • tune → "Calibration saved and joints stay cool." - calibrated servo arm ×1
        • evidence → "Two stable cycles logged." - calibrated servo arm ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Motor Award ×1
      • Processes used:
        • assemble-servo-arm-kit
          • Requires: two-servo arm kit ×1, Servo Motor ×2, precision screwdriver set ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: assembled servo arm ×1
        • calibrate-servo-arm
          • Requires: assembled servo arm ×1, Arduino Uno ×1, Jumper Wires ×4, USB Type-A to Type-B cable ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: calibrated servo arm ×1
      • QA notes:
        • Adds a non-linear strategy node (base-first vs elbow-first assembly) before shared verification.
        • Adds an explicit safety gate and mechanics-backed evidence gate tied to calibrated arm output.
        • Adds a troubleshooting/recovery branch for harness snags, hard-stop risks, and re-verification.

      7) Measure distance with an ultrasonic sensor (robotics/ultrasonic-rangefinder)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/ultrasonic-rangefinder
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: electronics/arduino-blink
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • bench-setup → "Bench wiring is complete." - ultrasonic distance sensor ×1
        • mounted-setup → "Robot-mounted wiring is complete." - ultrasonic distance sensor ×1
        • safety-check → "Safety checks complete; start distance sampling." - ultrasonic distance sensor ×1
        • measurement → "Distance readings are stable across all target ranges." - ultrasonic distance sensor ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Servo Motor ×1
      • Processes used:
        • None
      • QA notes:
        • Adds non-linear setup paths (bench-first vs integration-first) before measurement collection.
        • Adds a domain safety gate covering polarity checks and collision-risk handling before ping tests.
        • Recovery loop handles noisy echoes with required corrective actions and re-validation.

      8) Add Obstacle Avoidance (robotics/obstacle-avoidance)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/obstacle-avoidance
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/line-follower, robotics/ultrasonic-rangefinder
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • safety → "Safety checks pass; run operator lockout checks." - Servo Motor ×1
        • ops-check → "Ops checks pass; run the obstacle course." - Servo Motor ×1, safety goggles ×1
        • evidence → "Three clean runs logged; obstacle avoidance is field-ready." - Servo Motor ×1, safety goggles ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • 3D Printed Phone Stand ×1
      • Processes used:
      • QA notes:
        • Adds a strategy fork (conservative vs agile detection profiles) before convergence.
        • Adds a safety stop-distance gate before full-speed obstacle runs.
        • Adds operational lockout checks (remote kill switch + bystander no-go zones) before evidence runs.
        • Adds a troubleshooting loop for false triggers/collisions and a three-run evidence requirement.

      9) Scan with a servo-mounted sensor (robotics/servo-radar)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/servo-radar
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/pan-tilt, robotics/ultrasonic-rangefinder
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • start → "Run a fast coarse sweep first, then refine hotspots." - Servo Motor ×2, ultrasonic distance sensor ×1, pan-tilt servo bracket ×1, Arduino Uno ×1, solderless breadboard ×1, Jumper Wires ×6, USB Type-A to Type-B cable ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
        • start → "Run a slower high-resolution sweep for cleaner maps." - Servo Motor ×2, ultrasonic distance sensor ×1, pan-tilt servo bracket ×1, Arduino Uno ×1, solderless breadboard ×1, Jumper Wires ×6, USB Type-A to Type-B cable ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
        • build → "Rig moves smoothly with no pinched wires." - pan-tilt ultrasonic rig ×1
        • safety-check → "Safety checks complete; start mapped scans." - pan-tilt ultrasonic rig ×1
        • scan → "Sweep logs and map annotations are ready." - ultrasonic sweep map ×1
        • evidence → "Sweep parity achieved: map is consistent and documented." - ultrasonic sweep map ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • 3D Printed Phone Stand ×1
      • Processes used:
        • build-pan-tilt-ultrasonic
          • Requires: Servo Motor ×2, ultrasonic distance sensor ×1, pan-tilt servo bracket ×1, Arduino Uno ×1, solderless breadboard ×1, Jumper Wires ×6, precision screwdriver set ×1, USB Type-A to Type-B cable ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: pan-tilt ultrasonic rig ×1
        • scan-room-ultrasonic
          • Requires: pan-tilt ultrasonic rig ×1, Laptop Computer ×1, anti-static wrist strap ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: ultrasonic sweep map ×1
      • QA notes:
        • Adds explicit strategy branching (coarse-first vs high-resolution-first sweep plans).
        • Adds a safety checkpoint before mapped scans and a documented evidence gate for consistency.
        • Adds recovery handling for sweep dropouts, cross-talk, and wiring faults with mandatory re-scan.

      10) Add Wheel Encoders (robotics/wheel-encoders)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/wheel-encoders
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/servo-gripper
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • verify-safety → "Safety and pulse checks pass; start calibration runs." - Wheel Encoder ×2, safety goggles ×1
        • calibrate → "Calibration logs are complete and within tolerance." - Wheel Encoder ×2, Arduino Uno ×1, safety goggles ×1
        • evidence → "Encoder install is validated and ready for odometry quests." - Wheel Encoder ×2, Arduino Uno ×1, safety goggles ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Motor Award ×1
      • Processes used:
        • install-wheel-encoders
          • Requires: Wheel Encoder ×2, Arduino Uno ×1, safety goggles ×1
          • Consumes: none
          • Creates: none
      • QA notes:
        • Replaces thin-shell install flow with branching install strategy and staged verification.
        • Adds explicit operational safety checks (lifted chassis + emergency stop + free-spin test) before calibration.
        • Requires logged three-run parity evidence and provides a rework/re-verify troubleshooting loop.

      11) Track distance with wheel encoders (robotics/odometry-basics)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/odometry-basics
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/wheel-encoders
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • wire → "Wiring is clean and secured." - Wheel Encoder ×2, Arduino Uno ×1
        • safety-check → "Safety checks done; capture baseline odometry." - Wheel Encoder ×2
        • baseline-run → "Baseline log captured for all three passes." - Wheel Encoder ×2, Arduino Uno ×1
        • interpret → "Pass confirmed and logged: odometry baseline is ready for navigation." - Wheel Encoder ×2, Arduino Uno ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Motor Award ×1
      • Processes used:
        • None
      • QA notes:
        • Adds strategy branching (1-meter tape test vs square-loop drift test) before calibration.
        • Adds a safety gate and mechanics-backed baseline logging requirement before interpretation.
        • Adds troubleshooting/recovery for pulse noise, wheel slip, and calibration drift with re-test loops.

      12) Balance with a gyroscope (robotics/gyro-balance)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/gyro-balance
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/odometry-basics
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • parts → "Hardware is staged and strain-relieved." - Arduino Uno ×1, Servo Motor ×2
        • safety-check → "Safety setup complete; run operator recovery drills." - Arduino Uno ×1
        • operator-check → "Drill complete; start the five-run tuning block." - safety goggles ×1
        • tune → "Tuning log is complete and stable." - Servo Motor ×2, safety goggles ×1
        • evidence → "Three clean balance holds recorded; gyro balance is validated." - Arduino Uno ×1, Servo Motor ×2
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Motor Award ×1
      • Processes used:
        • None
      • QA notes:
        • Adds non-linear setup options (P-only baseline vs full PID-first) before tuning.
        • Adds safety gates for low-speed trials plus operator emergency-stop/spotter drills before tuning.
        • Adds recovery loop for drift/oscillation plus a consecutive-holds evidence gate.

      13) Navigate a Simple Maze (robotics/maze-navigation)

      • Quest link: /quests/robotics/maze-navigation
      • Unlock prerequisite:
        • requiresQuests: robotics/obstacle-avoidance, robotics/odometry-basics
      • Dialogue requiresItems gates:
        • strategy → "Decision tree loaded and tested in dry-run mode." - Servo Motor ×2
        • safety → "Safety limits set; run dead-end recovery drills first." - Servo Motor ×2
        • recovery-drill → "Recovery drills pass; start full maze attempts." - Servo Motor ×2, safety goggles ×1
        • evidence → "Two clean clears recorded; maze navigation is validated." - Servo Motor ×2, safety goggles ×1
      • Grants:
        • Dialogue options/steps grantsItems: None
        • Quest-level grantsItems: None
      • Rewards:
        • Motor Award ×1
      • Processes used:
        • None
      • QA notes:
        • Adds two route-planning strategies before convergence into shared validation.
        • Adds operational timeout/manual-stop safety checks before full maze attempts.
        • Adds mandatory dead-end recovery drills, then a troubleshooting loop and two clean maze clears as evidence.

      QA flow notes

      • Cross-quest dependencies: follow quest unlocks in order; each quest above lists exact requiresQuests and inventory gates that must be present before completion paths appear.
      • Progression integrity checks: verify each process-backed step can be completed either by running the process or by satisfying the documented continuation gate items.
      • Known pitfalls: repeated processes may generate stackable logs or outputs; validate minimum item counts on continuation options before skipping process steps.