Case 14: Graduation Project – My Intelligent Robot

Case Introduction

This lesson is the ultimate capstone project of the PU Robot STEAM curriculum. Working in groups, students will independently design and complete an "intelligent robot" project — they decide what to create and how to build it. Students will go through the full lifecycle of an engineering project, including requirement analysis, scheme design, programming development, testing optimization, and result demonstration. Teachers shift from knowledge instructors to project mentors, providing frameworks and tools while letting students lead creativity and implementation. This final project comprehensively assesses all knowledge and skills from Lessons 1 to 13, and fully trains students’ system thinking, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and innovative thinking.

Teaching Preparation

Name	Description
PU Robot Kit
Programming Device (Computer)	One set per group
Flat Ground + Scene Materials	Building blocks, cartons, tape, colored paper, scissors for scene decoration
Printed Project Planning Form	One copy per group
Printed Skills Checklist	Summary of all modules from Lesson 1–13
Timer	For project defense timing
Scoring Sheet	Teacher scoring + peer evaluation

What You Have Learned — Knowledge & Skill Checklist

Before designing your project, review all skills you have mastered in the past 13 lessons:

Module	Related Cases	What You Can Do
Remote Control	Case 1 / 2	Control robot movement, turning, and kicking actions via controller
Basic Programming	Case 3	Add software libraries, write button-triggered programs, download code
Sequence & Delay	Case 3 / 4	Control action sequence and duration
Loop Module	Case 5	Repeat movements automatically for designated times
Combined Actions	Case 6	Connect multiple actions and loops to create performances
Variables	Case 7	Store and adjust parameters such as walking time and loop counts
Conditional Judgment	Case 8	Use if…then…else to realize logical branches
Music Module	Case 9	Play melodies and match movements with music beats
Lighting Control	Case 10	Adjust RGB colors, eye light switches, and lighting animation effects
Emotional State Machine	Case 11	Store states with variables, branch via conditions, switch moods by buttons
Ultrasonic Sensor	Case 12	Detect forward distance and realize multi-level behavioral responses
Precision Control	Case 13	Low-frequency stepping, parameter tuning, and real-time sensor detection

Teacher Tip: Post the skill checklist on each group’s desk for quick reference during design. Encourage students to challenge unfamiliar modules — the graduation project is the best opportunity for review and innovation.

Overall Project Timeline

Stage	Period	Core Tasks	Deliverables
Stage 1: Project Launch	Period 1	Confirm theme, form teams, complete project planning form	Project Planning Document
Stage 2: Scheme Design	Period 1–2	Design functions, draw flowcharts, confirm module combination	Design Scheme + Flowchart
Stage 3: Programming Development	Period 2–3	Write code, test modules separately, integrate functions	Runnable Program
Stage 4: Testing & Optimization	Period 3–4	Functional testing, parameter adjustment, bug fixing	Optimized Final Program
Stage 5: Achievement Demonstration	Period 4	Project defense, on-site demonstration, peer evaluation	Project Display & Scores

Teacher Tip: It is recommended to complete the project in 4 class periods. If time is limited, merge testing and development stages, but retain the final presentation session — it greatly enhances students’ technical expression and confidence.

Course Objectives

1. Independently design and complete a fully functional robot project by integrating all learned modules (movement, loop, conditional judgment, variables, music, lighting, ultrasonic sensor, button interaction);

2. Master standard engineering processes: requirement analysis → scheme design → programming → testing & optimization → result sharing, and build core engineering thinking;

3. Complete project forms and flowcharts, and express design ideas through documents and diagrams;

4. Clearly introduce design concepts, technical implementation, and optimization processes in project defense, improving technical presentation skills and teamwork.

Course Introduction

Congratulations on reaching the final lesson!

Over 13 lessons, you have grown from a beginner with a remote controller to a young programmer who can make robots walk, dance, sing, change lights, sense distance, express emotions, and park precisely.

Today is your graduation project. This time, there are no fixed tasks. You decide everything. What kind of robot will you create? A cute pet robot, a smart butler, a dancing performer, an explorer, or a unique creative machine? What special skills does it have? What problems can it solve? What makes it different?

There is only one rule: integrate at least 4 different modules to create a creative, story-driven, and stable project.

Just like real engineers, you will turn your ideas into real works step by step. Your graduation project starts now!

Learning Exploration

Project Launch

Brainstorm Project Themes

Guide groups to discuss freely with 4 core guiding questions:

① What is your robot’s identity? (Name your robot and set its personality)

② What core functions will it have? (List at least 3 key features)

③ Which technical modules will you use? (Check from the skill list)

④ What is your most innovative highlight? (Unique design to impress judges)

Teacher Guidance Principles:

• No theme restrictions, support creative ideas
• Provide inspiration for teams with unclear ideas:
  • Which lesson was your favorite? Can you upgrade its functions?
  • Is there a small problem in daily life that a robot can solve?
  • What kind of robot would you like to create?
• Verify feasibility to ensure the project matches hardware performance and class time limits

Team Formation & Role Division

3–4 students per group with clear job roles:

Role	Responsibilities	Required Abilities
Project Manager	Schedule arrangement, coordination, final defense	Communication & time management
Programmer	Code writing, program debugging	Logical thinking & coding skills
Creative Designer	Function planning, lighting/movement/music arrangement	Creativity & aesthetic awareness
Test Engineer	Function testing, parameter tuning, bug recording	Carefulness & data analysis

Teacher Tip: Roles can be combined, but each task needs a person in charge. Encourage students to try new roles for comprehensive improvement.

Scheme Design

Draw Program Flowcharts

Guide students to draw intuitive block diagrams for their program logic:

• Mark corresponding technical modules for each logical branch
• Teachers provide on-site guidance to optimize logical structure

Modular Task Splitting

Divide the whole project into independent units for separate development and testing:

Module	Content	Testing Standard
Interaction Module	Button / sensor trigger & state switching	Stable and accurate response
Behavior Module	Movements, lighting, music performance	Consistent with design effects
Logic Module	Loops, conditions, variable control	Correct judgment and stable operation

Teacher Tip: Test each module individually before overall integration, which is the core idea of unit testing in software engineering.

Programming Development

Modular Programming Suggestions

Recommended development order:

1. Define variables, set up button/sensor triggering and LED status display
2. Write independent programs for movements, lights, and music in different modes
3. Integrate all modules and optimize switching fluency

Problem Log Recording

Each group records bugs, problems, and solutions during development:

No.	Problem Description	Tried Solutions	Solved	Final Method
1
2
3

Teacher Tip: A complete problem log helps students accumulate engineering experience and can be referenced in future maker projects.

Testing & Optimization

Functional Testing Checklist

Check all items one by one before finalization:

Test Item	Method	Expected Result	Pass
Trigger Response	Press buttons / trigger sensors	Functions respond correctly	✅/❌
Movement Performance	Observe robot actions	Smooth and coherent movements	✅/❌
Lighting Effect	Check light changes	Colors and flashes match design	✅/❌
Music Playback	Listen to sound feedback	Melody and rhythm are normal	✅/❌
Sensor Detection	Place obstacles for testing	Accurate distance judgment	✅/❌
Long-Term Operation	Run continuously for 3 minutes	No crash or freeze	✅/❌
Exception Adaptation	Quick operations and extreme tests	Program runs stably and recovers normally	✅/❌

Parameter Tuning

Follow the optimization experience from the precision parking challenge:

• Adjust only one parameter at a time
• Repeat each test 3 times to confirm stability
• Record data changes before and after optimization

Scene Decoration & Appearance Design

Use handmade materials to enrich the presentation effect:

• Make costumes or decorations for the robot
• Build mini scenes such as stages, mazes, and houses
• Design project name cards and introduction posters

Achievement Demonstration

Project Defense Process

3–5 minutes per group with fixed presentation steps:

Session	Duration	Content
Project Introduction	1 min	Project name, robot setting, creative inspiration
On-Site Demonstration	2 mins	Show all core functions in action
Technical Explanation	1 min	Introduce program structure and applied modules with flowcharts
Difficulty Sharing	0.5 min	Key difficulties in development and solutions
Q&A Session	1 min	Answer questions from teachers and classmates

Scoring Criteria

Dimension	Score	Evaluation Key Points
Function Completeness	25	All core functions realized; stable operation
Technical Depth	20	At least 4 modules applied; reasonable and rigorous logic
Creative Design	20	Unique ideas; delicate lighting/movement/music design
Presentation Performance	15	Clear speech; standardized flowchart and documents
Teamwork	10	Reasonable division of labor; complete problem records
Bonus Points	10	Extra highlights such as scene decoration, complex logic, high stability

Peer Evaluation

Each group scores other teams and fills in the mutual evaluation form to complete interactive evaluation and learning.