The Hummingbird Robotics Kit is an electronics and robotics kit designed for users aged 9 and older, enabling them to build and program robots using everyday craft materials. Developed by BirdBrain Technologies LLC, under license from Carnegie Mellon University, the kit aims to make robotics accessible for learning and creative expression.
Function Description:
The Hummingbird Robotics Kit allows users to create interactive robots by connecting various electronic components to a central controller, the Hummingbird Bit. These components include lights (single color and tri-color LEDs), sensors (light, dial, distance, and sound), and motors (micro servo, position servo, and rotation servo). Users write computer programs to control these components, bringing their robotic creations to life. The kit supports a range of programming options, including block-based languages like BirdBlox, MakeCode, and Snap!, as well as text-based languages like Python and Java, catering to different skill levels from beginners to more advanced programmers. The flexibility of the kit allows for diverse projects, such as animating poems, modeling human body parts, building autonomous rovers, or creating pinball machines.
Important Technical Specifications:
The core of the kit is the Hummingbird Bit controller. While specific technical details like processor speed or memory are not explicitly listed in the provided pages, the controller is designed to interface with a variety of input and output components.
- Inputs:
- Light Sensor (x1)
- Dial Sensor (x1)
- Distance Sensor (x1 - Premium Kit)
- Sound Sensor (x1 - Premium Kit)
- Outputs:
- Single Color LED (x3)
- Tri-Color LED (x2)
- Micro Servo FS90 (x2 - Base Kit)
- Position Servo FS5103B (x2 - Premium Kit)
- Rotation Servo FS5103R (x2 - Premium Kit)
- Also Included:
- Terminal Tool (x1)
- Battery Pack (x1)
- Servo Wheels (x2 - Premium Kit)
- Plastic Block Adapters (x2 - Premium Kit)
- Extension Cables (x2 - Base Kit; x4 - Premium Kit only)
The device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules, meaning it is designed to operate without causing harmful interference and must accept any interference received. It also carries a RoHS certification, indicating compliance with restrictions on hazardous substances.
Usage Features:
- Ease of Getting Started: The kit is designed for quick setup, with a "Quick Start Guide" directing users to the BirdBrain Technologies website for step-by-step tutorials on connecting components and programming.
- Programming Flexibility: Users can choose from multiple programming environments, including BirdBlox, MakeCode, Snap!, Python, and Java, allowing them to select the language best suited to their experience level and project needs.
- Educational Resources: BirdBrain Technologies provides extensive online resources, including free video courses for professional development, "First Hour of Robotics" lesson plans for educators, and printable "Coding Cards" and "Prototyping Activity" guides to aid in classroom integration. These resources cover programming basics, building techniques, and teaching strategies.
- Project Inspiration: The kit encourages creative building with everyday craft materials. The "Build" and "Projects" sections of the manual and website offer ideas and instructions for various robots, from simple "Jitterbug" and "Rover" designs to more complex "Moving Masterpieces," "Robot Shakespeare," and "Angles with Hummingbird" projects, demonstrating how robotics can be integrated into different content areas.
- Scalability: The kit is designed to grow with users, allowing beginners to start with basic concepts and progress to more intricate designs and advanced programming.
- Community and Support: Users are encouraged to follow BirdBrain Technologies on social media and sign up for their newsletter for ongoing inspiration and curriculum ideas. The website also provides a store for purchasing additional parts and accessories.
Maintenance Features:
- Safety Guidelines: The manual emphasizes several safety instructions:
- Intended for users 9 years of age and older.
- Do not touch or hold moving parts while operating.
- Keep non-kit conductive materials away from the controller.
- Always turn off the controller when done; do not leave it powered and unattended.
- Avoid using parts in or near liquids, or in extremely hot or cold environments.
- Discontinue use of any malfunctioning parts.
- Durability and Repair: While not explicitly detailed in the provided pages, the availability of a "Terminal Tool" and a store for "parts, accessories" suggests that the kit is designed with some level of user-serviceability or component replacement in mind, allowing for maintenance and expansion. The product's origin in China, with parts and packaging made there, and the controller, user manual, and parts being manufactured under license, implies a standardized production process that would support component replacement.
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