ROCO ROBOTICS –  Spring 2025
By Acu Ilie Dorin PhD, Costi Gavrilescu, Damian Sofronie

The ROBOTICS CLUB  at ROCO is part of our developing STEM PROGRAM, and this blog post is a call for the COMMUNITY to EXPRESS INTEREST and give FEEDBACK, THOUGHTS and IDEAS (please consider this a living blog that will be updated with links and more details soon)

ROCO Robotics is an exciting, hands-on club where kids explore the world of robotics, engineering, and coding in a collaborative, open-source environment. Designed for
young innovators, our program teaches essential STEM skills through real-world projects, teamwork, and problem-solving. Participants will build and program robots,
work with electronics, and develop creative solutions—all while having fun!

With weekly 2-3 hours sessions, kids will engage in a structured yet dynamic curriculum, gaining valuable experience in technology, teamwork, and leadership. The
spring/summer ’25 program will meet for approximately 10 weeks and build a NASA Mars rover replica.

ROCO Robotics is committed to open knowledge sharing, meaning all work and ideas created in the club become part of the public domain, fostering a spirit of innovation
and collaboration. Whether your child is a beginner or an aspiring engineer, ROCO Robotics provides the perfect space to explore, experiment, and grow. Target age group is 12-18, with weekly Saturday sessions from 3 to 5 PM, followed by a remote review during the week.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

This is a 10- 12 week pilot program starting this spring, to establish a ROCO Robotics team, and will be followed by a full robotics program that will run during next school year 2025/2026 (aproximately 16 weeks).

Open Source and NASA Rover

THE DATES bellow are TENTATIVE and they will be modified based on the feedback and final start date:

MEET 1: Project Introduction and Planning
○Overview of the Humanoids, Industrial and Rovers Controller project and its objectives.
○Assign team roles and responsibilities. Brief introduction to Agile Project Management
○Review the bill of materials (BOM) and identify required components.

MEET 2 : Parts Ordering and Logistics
○Initiate the first round of parts ordering.
○Finalize the list of suppliers and sources for components.
○Place orders for all necessary parts, ensuring estimated delivery within 10 days.
○Discuss contingency plans for potential shipping delays.

MEET 3: Design Review and Preparation
○Analyze the Rover Controller design and schematics in detail.
○Prepare the workspace and gather essential tools for assembly.
○Develop a detailed assembly plan and timeline.

MEET 4: Parts Arrival and Inventory Check
○ Confirm the arrival of all ordered components.
○ Conduct a thorough inventory to ensure all parts are correct and undamaged.
○ Address any discrepancies or missing items promptly.

MEET 5: Motor Board and Rover Assembly – Session 1
○ Begin assembly of the motor control board, focusing on soldering and placement of primary components.
○ Ensure adherence to safety protocols during assembly.
○ Document the assembly process for future reference.

MEET 6: Motor Board and Rover Assembly – Session 2
○ Continue with the assembly, installing remaining components such as connectors and headers.
○ Perform visual inspections to verify correct component placement and solder joints.
○ Begin preliminary testing of individual sections of the motor board.


MEET 7: Motor Board Assembly – Session 3
○ Complete the final assembly steps, including any necessary wiring and enclosure fitting.
○ Conduct comprehensive testing of the motor board to ensure functionality.
○ Troubleshoot and resolve any issues identified during testing.

MEET 8: Buffer Session
○ Allocate time to address any delays or challenges encountered in previous sessions.
○ If assembly is on schedule, begin integration of the motor board with other rover systems.
○ Review project timeline and adjust future sessions as needed.

MEET 9: System Integration – Part 1
○ Integrate the motor board with the rover's main control system.
○ Establish communication between the motor board and the Rover Controller.
○ Test motor functionalities and responsiveness to control inputs.

MEET 10: System Integration – Part 2
○ Fine-tune motor control parameters for optimal performance.
○ Integrate additional sensors and peripherals as outlined in the project scope.
○ Ensure all systems are cohesive and functioning as intended.

MEET 11: Testing and Calibration
○ Conduct field tests to evaluate the rover's performance in real-world conditions.
○ Calibrate sensors and control systems based on test data.
○ Document test results and make necessary adjustments.

MEET 12: Final Review and Demonstration
○ Present the completed rover project to stakeholders or team members.
○ Demonstrate the rover's capabilities and discuss potential improvements.
○ Reflect on the project journey and gather feedback for future endeavors.

 
The course will run over the 10 to 12 weeks and include 36 hours of training and collaboration. There is no refund for withdrawal or absence. However, we will provide online access to some of the courses, and try to accommodate circumstances when a student cannot come for one hands-on meet.
If you have questions, comments or questions please  email [email protected] (you can call too 50735929)

We are planning to start the workshop as soon as we reach minimum 10 participants.

Whether you are a beginner or an aspiring engineer, ROCO Robotics provides the perfect space to explore, experiment, and grow. JOIN US!

Thanks,

Dorin, Damian and Costi