ROBOKAR Workshop

Introduction

            The one day workshop has been conducted on the 8^th of December 2019. The venue of this workshop is at UTM block N28, Active Learning lab. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce more people to not just programming but also to robotic programming. Although this two is in the same field, but it is an entirely different part of the programming world. The workshop also helps to build interest and teach more on how to do programming. The benefit of this comparing it to computer programming is that the user can see the result physically based on the code they have written. The program was organized by the ROBOKAR facilitator and our lecturer Dr Haswadi Hasan. A total of 36 students from section 08 of the course Technology and Information System attended the workshop.

Description of the program

            The workshop starts with the registration of the program and the participants to arrive. At 2.30 pm we start the program with slides of presentation from the facilitators. They explain to us what a ROBOKAR is. ROBOKAR is a model car that uses sensor to move around on the track. The model car run by using an Arduino. The Arduino uses the language C programming. After explaining what a ROBOKAR is, we were shown the achievement from the workshop. The workshop started on the year 2012. Since then, the workshop has had over 1200 participants ranging from all level of education from school level students to undergraduate students. After showing the history of the workshop, we were taught how to operate the model car. As stated, it uses C programming. To us who are taking computer science subjects, we were introduced to programming at the start of the semester, so we have a brief understanding of the language we are going to use. But to the school level participants, they may have a bit of trouble understanding the meaning and the use of every command they enter. The facilitator also show us the files and library that we are going to use to run the model car and the flow on how to make the model car move. After the presentation, we divided ourselves into six groups to make things easier for the organizer. We were given a model car, a pen-drive containing the files needed and two books helping us in understanding and helping us. After installing the IDE files, we can start to code our program for the model car. We start our practical session at 3 pm. All the groups have around 1 hour and 30 mins to code and test the model car. Other than the small book provided, we also have a few facilitator who are more than willing to help us in need when we encounter an error in our code. After coding, the groups can test their code on a small and simple track provided to find problems and error in the code. After encountering many problems, we manage to finish on time before the game. The ROBOKAR game is a small game to test the limit of our model car on a fairly challenging track with a timer. We started the game at around 4 pm. All the team will need to test their model car’s functionality. The track has 7 checkpoints each with their level of difficulty. Our group were the first group so we are the first to present. We were unable to finish the track as our code were incomplete. After all the groups have given a try, the facilitator announce the winner which have the shortest time needed to complete the track. After the prize-giving, we have a photo session with the organizers and also the facilitators. This marks the end of the workshop and we were all dismissed after that.

Reflection

            By attending this workshop, we can strengthen our programming basic as they guide us step by step on how to program the model car by using C programming. Although C programming is a little different compared to the C++ programming that we have learnt in UTM, but we are still able to program the model car because the facilitators give detailed explanation whenever we faced difficulty to program the model car. Hence, we are a step closer to our goal because we get to know more about other programming language by attending this workshop.

            In the future, we would work harder to improve our programming skill in C programming language as we already have the basis of this language after attending this workshop so that we can obtain the skills needed to achieve our goal. Furthermore, we are looking forward to attend more workshops or competitions related to programming so we can learn different programming languages such as Java, Python and much more so that we can master the programming skill. All these actions are necessary because not only we can secure a job easier than the other graduates.

Task of Each Member

            The work we have were divided equally among ourselves and we all carried out our work that was assigned. The task we were given was not a lot so some of us are doing the same job. Abir and Iurii were in charge of taking picture and video from the workshop. Jack, eyu and chua were mainly in charge of doing the coding but all of us help too. Lastly, Nicholas wrote the report for the workshop.

Conclusion

            The workshop is a good way to get more students and people involved in the world of programming. it shows us the way something move because of the code we put in thus making participants learned much quicker due to its nature. We were all thrilled and honoured to be able to be a part of the program. The facilitators were willing to help and teach those who requires help and were able to provide said needed help. We also would like to thank the organizer to plan the workshop for us and also thank the facilitator who were there to help us in need.