How do you program a robot?

What is a robot?

A robot is a machine that has a computer inside. Robots help us do lots of different jobs such as:

fetching and delivering things
making and playing music
carrying out operations in hospitals

To help do all these jobs, the robot needs a list of instructions called a program.

The computer uses the program to tell the robot how to move and what to do. The robot can only do what the program tells it to.

The computer has a memory like we do. It stores the program in its memory. When we tell the robot to GO it follows the program.

We can learn how to make a robot, like the Bitesize Bot, move around a grid or map using a program.

Let's make a robot move

1. Planning the route

You want the Bitesize Bot to go along the path to the football.
You can plan the journey by drawing it on a map.
This is called a route.
You can use arrows to plan the route.

2. A list of steps

The route needs to be broken down into smaller steps.
You must check to see how far the Bitesize Bot must move each time.
The Bitesize Bot might need to turn left or right.
This list of steps is called an algorithm.

3. Robot instructions

The Bitesize Bot has buttons with arrows which show which direction it can move.
The computer inside the Bitesize Bot only understands directions from the buttons.
It does not understand words such as forward and turn.
You press the buttons to tell the Bitesize Bot where to go.

4. Making the program

The Bitesize Bot's computer can understand this list of instructions.
This list is called a program.
The computer stores the program in its memory.
It waits until you press the GO button.
Then it tells the Bitesize Bot what to do.

5. Did the program work?

When you press the GO button, the Bitesize Bot will follow the program.
It will move around the route.
If you got all the instructions right, the Bitesize Bot will go where you wanted it to.
Your program worked.

6. Looking for bugs

If you make a mistake the Bitesize Bot will go the wrong way.
You might have got a step wrong.
Maybe you pressed the wrong arrow button.
A mistake is called a bug.
You need to check your route, algorithm, and program for bugs.

Glossary

Here are the meanings to some important words:

Computer - A device that can follow instructions stored in its memory.
Robot - A machine with a computer inside.
Algorithm - A list of instructions that completes a task or solves a problem.
Program - A list of instructions a computer can understand.
Memory - The place in a computer where information is stored.
Bug - A mistake in a computer program.