Build the Line Follower Bot

The Line Follower Bot is exactly what it sounds like! It's designed to follow black lines on a white surface. You'll learn how to program your sensors to see lines and how to use the potentiometer on your Smart Inventor Board.
Line follower robot cover Line follower robot cover

This lesson works with:

Rokit Smart
Arduino
  • arduino
  • build
  • Line Follower Bot
  • robotics
  • Rokit Smart

Grade level:

3 - 12+

Approx. time required:

60 - 75 mins
CSTA

1B-CS-02

3-5

Model how computer hardware and software work together as a system to accomplish tasks.

1B-CS-03

3-5

Determine potential solutions to solve simple hardware and software problems using common troubleshooting strategies.

2-CS-03

6-8

Systematically identify and fix problems with computing devices and their components.
CCSS

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7 Language Arts

Grade 3

Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.8 Language Arts

Grade 3

Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7 Language Arts

Grade 4

Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7 Language Arts

Grade 5

Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.7 Language Arts

Grade 6

Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

Read More

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3 Language Arts

6-8

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7 Language Arts

Grade 8

Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

Read More

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 Math

High School — Geometry

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

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CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Math

Grade 3

Use appropriate tools strategically.

Read More
Step 1

Body

  1. Bolt two short L-frames to each blueboard. The ends of the L-frames that are sticking up in the air should be facing the outer edge of the blueboard. Pay attention to their placement!
  2. Place the two blueboards next to each other and attach them with a 7-hole metal frame. 3 holes of the metal frame should be on each blueboard. Bolt a short standoff to the hole that’s in the middle of the two blueboards.
  3. Bolt a long L-frame to each blueboard next to the 7-hole metal frame.
  4. Just like step 2, bolt another 7-hole metal frame to the two blueboards and attach a short standoff in the middle. Make sure you use long bolts this time!
  5. Attach four long bolts to the inner corners of the blueboards. Pay attention to their placement! Next, flip everything over.
  6. Attach another blueboard using the long bolts you just attached. Flip everything back over so you see the short standoffs and the short L-frames sticking up.
Line Follower Bot body1
Line Follower Bot body2
Line Follower Bot body3
Step 2

Motors and battery box

  1. Bolt the DC motors to the short L-frames.
  2. Line the holes in the battery box up with the short standoffs and then bolt into place.
Line Follower Bot Motors and battery box1
Line Follower Bot Motors and battery box2
Step 3

Wheels and Smart Inventor Board

  1. Attach the wheels to the motors using small black screws. The wheels will also stay attached without the screws!
  2. Use two long bolts to attach the Smart Inventor Board to the front of Line Follower Bot. Pay attention to the placement of the bolts!
Line Follower Bot Wheels and Smart Inventor Board1
Line Follower Bot Wheels and Smart Inventor Board2
Step 4

Wire the Line Follower Bot

To wire your Line Follower Bot, place it so the Smart Inventor Board is facing you.

  • The motor on your right is M1.
  • The motor on your left is M2.
  • Attach the motors to their respective spots on the Smart Inventor Board (M1, M2, M3, and M4 are all marked).
  • Make sure that the red wires are the in the negative position (facing the inside) and that the black wires are in the positive position (facing the outside)!
Wire the Line Follower Bot1
Wire the Line Follower Bot2
Step 5

Video

This video shows how the Line Follower Bot works!

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