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Before changing your sensor, map readings at three different positions to find where variation is highest.
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Technology inquiryInquiry 14
Field robots & assistants
Mechatronics — sense, decide, act
How can a robot assistant collect or act on evidence reliably in our place — with a safety plan?
Technology inquiry
Field robots & assistants
Mechatronics — sense, decide, act
Technological Practice · Outcome development · Mechatronics
Wero
How can a robot assistant collect or act on evidence reliably in our place — with a safety plan?
First step
Define one testable behaviour; run ten trials changing only one variable; log pass/fail with photo evidence.
What you will show
Behaviour protocol with iteration notes, failure modes named, and signed safety checklist.
Local place context
What terrain or obstacle course represents your local testing ground?
Technological Practice · Outcome development · Mechatronics
First step
Define one testable behaviour; run ten trials changing only one variable; log pass/fail with photo evidence.
Expected outcome
Behaviour protocol with iteration notes, failure modes named, and signed safety checklist.
You will assemble (or commission) a NuiBot, calibrate its sensors, and use it as your evidence-gathering partner in a class investigation. What NuiBot can sense reliably — and which sensor positions and intervals produce trustworthy data for your inquiry. Sensor calibration logs, baseline readings, and notes about reliability and drift.
Five ways you could investigate
Pick one to start — or write your own question. The AI mentor supports you gently inside your investigation.
Idea 1
Sensor threshold tuning
What threshold best separates signal from noise in your site?
Start with this question →Idea 2
Delay timing reliability
Does a 100 ms delay change behaviour outcomes?
Start with this question →Idea 3
Battery vs performance
How does low battery change motor or sensor response?
Start with this question →Idea 4
Path repeatability
Can the robot repeat the same path — what drift do you measure?
Start with this question →Idea 5
Human interference
What environmental factor most disrupts consistent runs?
Start with this question →
Five things you could build
Fabrication ideas linked to makerspace tools — 3D print, laser cut, Arduino, data products, and more.
Build 1
Custom sensor mount
3D print the bracket your field evidence demands.
Open in outcome selector →Build 2
Arm extension tool
Design a tool based on what the investigation found.
Open in outcome selector →Build 3
Robot enclosure base
Laser-cut a base plate that stabilises wiring.
Open in outcome selector →Build 4
Behaviour log dashboard
Visualise runs with pass/fail against your protocol.
Open in outcome selector →Build 5
Automated sampling routine
Programme timed readings at defended intervals.
Open in outcome selector →
AI mentor (inside your investigation)
No separate mentor page — support appears in your investigation workspace. It starts gentle: short prompts about your research context, data, and analysis. You or your teacher can turn assistance off for unassisted work, or request more help when you need it. It also guides fabrication choices tied to your evidence.
What other investigators found
What you will investigate
You will assemble (or commission) a NuiBot, calibrate its sensors, and use it as your evidence-gathering partner in a class investigation.
What you will collect
Date and time, Sensor
What you might make or share
A printed sensor mount, a logger script