Tuff-Bot’s Sensors

Tuff-Bot has two sensors.

• The Light Sensor
• The Avoidance Sensor

The Light Sensor works on its own. When Tuff-Bot enters a dark area, its headlights automatically turn on. Tuff-Bot might be going through a tunnel, or entering a room that has no lights on. Students can explore with Tuff-Bot to determine how dark the environment needs to be for the headlights to turn on.

The Light Sensor is contained in the small circle at the upper right of Tuff-Bot. The right turn key points to it.

When Tuff-Bot is turned on, you can cover that circle with your finger to simulate darkness and turn on the headlights. Remove your finger, and the headlights will turn off in a few moments.

To use the Avoidance Sensor, press the Avoidance button to turn that feature on. The button will shine green when the avoidance sensor is activated.

Now, when Tuff-Bot moves and its front bumper encounters an obstacle, it will back up, turn right, go forward, then turn left, then continue its journey. The steps that Tuff-Bot follows during the avoidance maneuver will temporarily replace the code you entered. Tuff-Bot has no rear sensor, so if touches an obstacle while backing up, it will remain there until it can execute further commands (such as forward or turn) in its instruction list.

Press the Avoidance button again to stop avoidance mode. Its green light will turn off.