Remote Programming of Hummingbird Robots

A workshop led by Tom Lauwers


Remote robots are robotics projects that can be accessed and programmed via the internet by anyone from anywhere. These robots use the NetsBlox platform, a multiplayer networking blocks programming environment that is derived from Snap!
This workshop has two goals:

  1. Demonstrate how to program a remote robot, and by so doing, learn a little bit about how to program Hummingbird kit robots generally.
  2. Provide a general overview of how to build a remote robot. We will use the Hummingbird robotics kit in our example, but the concepts presented apply readily to any microcontroller or robot that has a Snap! extension.
Screen shots from Remote Robots:


Remote Robots offer a way to inject physical computing and Internet of Things concepts into the online/virtual space; it provides an experience that is more compelling than a simulation, at low or potentially no cost to the student.
Participants do not need to have any robotics/electronics kit at home to participate, but they will get to program a real robot!

Here's Tom Lauwers talking about Remote Robots:


About the workshop leader:

Tom Lauwers founded BirdBrain Technologies in 2010 after receiving his doctorate in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. His research was founded on engaging all students, regardless of background, in robotics and engineering. Tom seeks to design educational tools that catalyze positive making, coding, and engineering learning experiences in the classroom. Tom resides in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood with his wife, two kids, cat, and a small army of robots. He would be an invaluable ally in the event of a robot uprising.

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