Build machines that emulate humans

Time to complete Lesson

Six 50-minute class periods

Allow for an additional 1-2 weeks to complete an entire hand

Learning objectives 

• Students build and calibrate a working robotic hand and sensor glove using instructions.
• Students develop design solutions for improving the performance of their robotic hand using sensor data visualized with  digital tools.

21st  century technical skills gained through this activity:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Data Science 

Part 1: Prior knowledge and vocabulary

• Students are introduced to the context of the lesson which places them in the role of engineers designing a robotic hand that can be controlled by a wearable sensor glove. Students answer questions related to the lesson learning objectives as a pre-assessment.  Students are also introduced to the project’s working vocabulary.

Part 2: Analog data

• Students research and draw the bones of the human hand and study the movement of their own hands. Using this information, each student builds and calibrates a robotic finger from a milkshake straw. Students then engage in a design challenge to strengthen the joints of their robotic fingers.

Part 3: Digital data

• Each student builds a wearable flex sensor from cardboard, copper tape, and conductive plastic that attaches to their finger. Students then equip their robotic finger with a servo motor. Students complete the electronics component allowing them to connect their sensor and control their finger. Students use a live data visualization on Excel and study digital and analog biofeedback from their own finger’s movement.

Part 4: Reflection

• Students finalize any unfinished components of the student journal. Students complete and discuss the reflection questions in the Student Journal.

Mechanical engineer
Manufacturing related design
Gathers materials and tools
Cleans workspace, returns materials and tools

Electrical engineer
Designs circuits
Connects to a power source
Wires electrical components

Software engineer
Designs and analyzes code structure
Programs
Debugs and tests

Data scientist
Designs data dashboard
Collects data
Analyzes data