pxt-ev3/docs/design-engineering/make-it-communicate.md

# Make A System That Communicates

## Connect 

### Design Brief

Design, build and program a robotic system that follows a path and communicates its position at least twice along the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6piMI1JPDQc

*	Robotic systems are built from smaller, related subsystems. Look at the automobile system shown in the video. What subsystems can you see?
*	What kinds of robots follow a path?
*	What kind of system do you want to make?

### Brainstorm

Discuss different solutions to the design brief.

Think about:
* What kind of motorized mechanism can be used to control the movements of a robot?
* How can the robot sense where it is along the path?
* How can the robot communicate its position?
 
 ![EV3 + LEGO Bricks](/static/lessons/make-it-communicate/hero.png)

## Construct 

### Build

You can start by tinkering with the LEGO elements in the picture and then build on.

More building ideas: 
* [EV3 Frames](https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/files/support/mindstorms%20ev3/building-instructions/design%20engineering%20projects/ev3%20frames-5054ee378e624fb4cb31158d2fc8e5cf.pdf)

* [Tracks](https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/files/support/mindstorms%20ev3/building-instructions/design%20engineering%20projects/tracks-32d7554813af3f25cf5012d54a4bad2b.pdf)

* [Color Sensor 2](https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/files/support/mindstorms%20ev3/building-instructions/design%20engineering%20projects/color%20sensor_v2-e7fd54b6fa3cdfe36f414c1d2510f9cb.pdf)


Build a path for your robot to follow. You can use electrical tape on a floor, or marker on paper. You can use objects as milestones to indicate a path that can be detected by either the Touch Sensor, Color Sensor, or Ultrasonic Sensor. 

## Program 

Before you program, think about: 
 
*	How will you program the robot to follow a path?
*	How will you program the robot to communicate its position?
*	Which programming blocks will you use?

### ~ hint

Explore the different Motor and Sensor blocks in the programming menu.

### ~

### Sample Solution 

[Video: EV3 Track Rover](/static/lessons/make-it-communicate/trackrover.mp4)

The Track Rover follows a path using the color sensor. It identifies two locations by color.

[Building Instructions](https://le-www-live-s.legocdn.com/sc/media/lessons/mindstorms-ev3/ev3-dep/building%20instructions/track-rover-bi-6aadb1b053df0c58a0dea108b5ce0eea.pdf)

### Sample Program Solution 

This program works with the Track Rover. If you create a different robot, adjust the program to fit your solution. 

#### Program summary: 

* If the Color Sensor sees black, Motor B runs at -50 power and Motor C turns off.
* If the Color Sensor sees white, Motor B turns off and Motor C runs at -50 power.
* If the Color Sensor sees green, all motors stop and the green sound plays. 
* The robot waits one second, then motors move forward.
* If the Color Sensor sees red, all motors stop, and the red sound plays.
* The robot waits one second, then motors move forward.
* Loops unlimited.

```blocks
forever(function () {
    if (sensors.color3.color() == ColorSensorColor.Black) {
        motors.largeB.run(-50)
        motors.largeC.run(0)
    } else if (sensors.color3.color() == ColorSensorColor.White) {
        motors.largeC.run(-50)
        motors.largeB.run(0)
    } else if (sensors.color3.color() == ColorSensorColor.Green) {
        motors.stopAll()
        music.playSoundEffectUntilDone(sounds.colorsGreen)
        motors.largeBC.run(-50)
    } else if (sensors.color3.color() == ColorSensorColor.Red) {
        motors.stopAll()
        music.playSoundEffectUntilDone(sounds.colorsRed)
        motors.largeBC.run(-50)
    } else {

    }
})
```

```blocks
sensors.color3.onColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.Black, function () {
    motors.largeB.run(-50)
    motors.largeC.run(0)    
})
sensors.color3.onColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.White, function () {
    motors.largeB.run(0)    
    motors.largeC.run(-50)
})
sensors.color3.onColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.Green, function () {
    motors.stopAll()
    music.playSoundEffect(sounds.colorsGreen)
    pause(1000)  
    motors.largeBC.run(-50)
})
sensors.color3.onColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.Red, function () {
    motors.stopAll()
    music.playSoundEffect(sounds.colorsRed)
    pause(1000)
    motors.largeBC.run(-50)
})
```

### Download and test

Click Download and follow the instructions to get your code onto your EV3 Brick. Press the center button on the EV3 Brick to run the program.

## Contemplate 

### Test and Analyze 

As you work on your solution: 
1. Describe one part of your design that worked especially well. 
2. Describe one design change that you had to make. 
3. What will you try next? 


### Review and Revise 
Take a moment to reflect on your robot solution. 

### Think about: 
*	Can the robot’s movement be more accurate? 
*	What are some ways that others have solved the problem?

Describe two ways you could improve your robot.

## Continue 

### Personalize your project
*	Add/remove LEGO elements to improve the way your robot moves. 
*	Click on the JavaScript tab and experiment with changing the values in the code.
*	Add a custom image or sounds by adding blocks from the Brick or Music menus.

## Communicate 

Here are some ideas: 
*	Create a video of your project, especially your final presentation and your robot’s performance. 
*	Explain some important features of your software program. 
*	Produce a building guide for your model by taking a series of photographs as you deconstruct it. 
*	Include an image of your program with comments. 
*	Add a team photograph! 

Congratulations! What will you design next?