Program the Gorilla Bot

You built the Gorilla Bot and now you get to program it! You'll learn how to use if statements to program the remote control, the motors, and the LEDs on the Smart Inventor Board so your Gorilla Bot can move like...well, a gorilla.
Gorilla robot cover Gorilla robot cover
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This lesson uses:

Rokit Smart with Arduino

  • arduino
  • computer science
  • electronics
  • Gorilla Bot
  • LED
  • programming
  • robotics
  • Rokit Smart
  • sensors

Grade level:

3 - 12+

Approx. time required:

30 - 45 mins
CSTA

1B-AP-09

3-5

Create programs that use variables to store and modify data.

1B-AP-10

3-5

Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and conditionals.

1B-CS-03

3-5

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

2-AP-12

6-8

Design and iteratively develop programs that combine control structures, including nested loops and compound conditionals.

2-CS-01

6-8

Recommend improvements to the design of computing devices, based on an analysis of how users interact with the devices.

2-CS-03

6-8

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

3-5-ETS1-3 Science

Grade 4

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

4-PS3-4 Science

Grade 4

Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
CCSS

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.

Read More

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Math

Grade 3

Use appropriate tools strategically.

Read More

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7 Math

Grade 5

Look for and make use of structure.

Read More
Step 1

What it does

The Gorilla Bot can move forward, backward, right, and left, and it can also speed up or down. You get to use a remote control again!

This is the Gorilla Bot’s pseudocode:

  • If up is pressed on the remote control, move forward.
  • Else, if down is pressed, move backward.
  • Else, if right is pressed, move right.
  • Else, if left is pressed, move left.
  • If F1 is pressed, speed up.
  • Else, if F2 is pressed slow down.
  • Else, if C is pressed, move forward at full speed.
  • Else, stop.
Step 2

Setup

The first thing you need to do is include the Smart Inventor library. Next, in void setup(), include your motors and remote control, because you kind of need those for your Gorilla Bot to move.

#include <SmartInventor.h>
 
void setup() {
  SmartInventor.DCMotorUse();
  SmartInventor.TVRemoconUse();
}
Step 3

LEDs

Just like the Trailer Bot, you can program your LEDs to display how fast or slow your Gorilla Bot is moving! First, set up a speed variable underneath the Smart Inventor library, and then set variables for the LEDs so they can display speed later on. In void setup(), use pinMode to set the LEDs as outputs and use digitalWrite to make sure pins 13 through 16 are on.

#include <SmartInventor.h>
 
int speed = 50;

int speedMeterL = 13;
int speedMeterR = 16;
 
void setup() {
  SmartInventor.DCMotorUse();
  SmartInventor.TVRemoconUse();
 
  pinMode(11, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(12, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(14, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(15, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(16, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(17, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(18, OUTPUT);
 
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(14, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(15, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(16, HIGH);
}
Step 4

Add remote control data

Create a variable to read the remote control and store information about the last button that was pressed. You want this information to be read continuously, so make sure it’s in void loop().

#include <SmartInventor.h>
 
int speed = 50;

int speedMeterL = 13;
int speedMeterR = 16;
 
void setup() {
  SmartInventor.DCMotorUse();
  SmartInventor.TVRemoconUse();
 
  pinMode(11, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(12, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(14, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(15, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(16, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(17, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(18, OUTPUT);
 
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(14, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(15, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(16, HIGH);
}
 
void loop() {
  int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();
}
Step 5

Add buttons

Next up: the main section of the code! Use if, else if, and else statements to check if any of the remote control’s buttons have been pressed. If they have, the motors will turn in that direction. For example, if you press the up button, the motors will spin in the same direction to move forward.

void loop() {
  int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();
 
  if(keyData == KEY_U)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_L)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_R)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_D)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
}
Step 6

Go faster

If you want to add more buttons, you can just use more else if statements in your code. For example, adding the center button on the remote control (KEY_C in your code) will make your Gorilla Bot move at full speed!

void loop() {
  int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();
 
  if(keyData == KEY_U)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_L)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_R)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_D)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_C)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, 127);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, 127);
  }
}
Step 7

Slow down

What if you want your Gorilla Bot to slow down? You can add an else statement to the end of your code to bring your Gorilla Bot to a slow stop when no buttons are pressed.

void loop() {
  int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();
 
  if(keyData == KEY_U)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_L)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_R)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_D)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_C)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, 127);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, 127);
  }
  else
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, LOOSE, 0);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, LOOSE, 0);
  }
}
Step 8

Change the speed!

Your Gorilla Bot has more speeds besides full speed and slow stop. To include your remote control’s F1 and F2 buttons, which will speed up or slow down the motors, use if and else if statements after your code for the other buttons. You should also add in short delays so you have time to let go of the remote control’s button before it changes again.

void loop() {
  int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();
 
  if(keyData == KEY_U)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_L)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_R)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_D)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_C)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, 127);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, 127);
  }
  else
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, LOOSE, 0);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, LOOSE, 0);
  }
 
  if(keyData == KEY_F1)
  {
    if(speed < 90)
    {
      speed = speed + 20;
 
      delay(150);
    }
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_F2)
  {
    if(speed > 30)
    {
      speed = speed - 20;
 
      delay(150);
    }
  }
}
Step 9

Add LEDs and sound

The middle LEDs (13-16) on your Smart Inventor Board can be programmed to display your Gorilla Bot’s speed. Every time that the speed increases or decreases, two LEDs will turn on or off. You can also add a beep in so you can hear when your Gorilla Bot’s speed changes.

void loop() {
  int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();
 
  if(keyData == KEY_U)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_L)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_R)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_D)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_C)
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, 127);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, 127);
  }
  else
  {
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, LOOSE, 0);
    SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, LOOSE, 0);
  }
 
  if(keyData == KEY_F1)
  {
    if(speed < 90)
    {
      speed = speed + 20;
         // light up two more LEDs 
      speedMeterL = speedMeterL - 1; 
      speedMeterR = speedMeterR + 1; 
 
      digitalWrite(speedMeterL, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(speedMeterR, HIGH);
 
      SmartInventor.Buzz(1160, 12);
 
      delay(150);
    }
  }
  else if(keyData == KEY_F2)
  {
    if(speed > 30)
    {
      speed = speed - 20;
         // turn off the outer two leds
      digitalWrite(speedMeterL, LOW); 
      digitalWrite(speedMeterR, LOW);
 
      speedMeterL = speedMeterL + 1;
      speedMeterR = speedMeterR - 1;
 
      SmartInventor.Buzz(1160, 12);
 
      delay(150);
    }
  }
}
Step 10

Final code

Your final code should look something like this:

#include <SmartInventor.h> 

int speed = 50; 

int speedMeterL = 13;
int speedMeterR = 16; 

void setup() {  
    SmartInventor.DCMotorUse();  
    SmartInventor.TVRemoconUse();   

    pinMode(11, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(12, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(13, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(14, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(15, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(16, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(17, OUTPUT);  
    pinMode(18, OUTPUT);   

    digitalWrite(13, HIGH);  
    digitalWrite(14, HIGH);  
    digitalWrite(15, HIGH);  
    digitalWrite(16, HIGH);
} 

void loop() {  
    int keyData = SmartInventor.TVRemoconData();   

    if(keyData == KEY_U)  
    {    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);  
    }  
    else if(keyData == KEY_L)  
    {    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, speed);    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);  
    }  
    else if(keyData == KEY_R)  
    {    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, speed);  
    }  
    else if(keyData == KEY_D)  
    {    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CW, speed);    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CCW, speed);  
    }  
    else if(keyData == KEY_C)  
    {    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, CCW, 127);    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, CW, 127);  
    }  
    else  
    {    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M1, LOOSE, 0);    
        SmartInventor.DCMotor(M2, LOOSE, 0);  
    }   

    if(keyData == KEY_F1)  
    {    
        if(speed < 90)    
        {      
            speed = speed + 20;                
        
            speedMeterL = speedMeterL - 1;   // light up two more LEDs    
            speedMeterR = speedMeterR + 1;        

            digitalWrite(speedMeterL, HIGH);      
            digitalWrite(speedMeterR, HIGH);       

            SmartInventor.Buzz(1160, 12);       

            delay(150);    
        }  
    }  
    else if(keyData == KEY_F2)  
    {
        if(speed > 30)    
        {      
            speed = speed - 20;         // turn off the outer two leds      

            digitalWrite(speedMeterL, LOW);       
            digitalWrite(speedMeterR, LOW);       

            speedMeterL = speedMeterL + 1;      
            speedMeterR = speedMeterR - 1;       

            SmartInventor.Buzz(1160, 12);       

            delay(150);    
        }  
    }
}
Step 11

Video

Still not sure about the lesson or want to make sure your program is correct? Watch the video!

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