Let’s build the EdRoboClaw

Difficulty:

The EdRoboClaw EdBuild by Microbric Education is licensed under a Creative

Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Document number: 3.2.2.8.1 Rev 1.1

The EdRoboClaw is a remote-controlled articulated robotic arm, which can be
programmed using the barcodes in this guide and controlled with a standard TV or
DVD remote control. You will be able to drive the EdRoboClaw forwards, backwards
and spin it right or left. You will also be able to open and close the claw to pick up
and carry an object, such as one of the EdCreate beams.

The EdRoboClaw is rated a level 3 build.

Difficulty Recommended
Programming skills needed
rating age
1 8+ - Barcodes and remote control
2 8+ - Barcodes and remote control
3 8+ - Barcodes and remote control
- Barcodes and remote control AND
4 10+ - EdScratch OR
- EdPy
5 12+ - EdPy
To successfully complete and operate a build, you will need an understanding of the
programming skills listed.

Learn more about programming with Edison at:

• Barcodes: Appropriate for ages 4+. No prior experience with programming or

robotics is assumed or required.
www.meetedison.com/robot-activities/youre-a-controller/
• EdScratch: Best suited to students aged 10 and up, ideal for students 10 to
13. A basic understanding of programming fundamentals may be helpful.
www.meetedison.com/robot-programming-software/edscratch/
• EdPy: Best suited to students aged 13 to 16 years old. A basic understanding
of programming fundamentals may be helpful.
www.meetedison.com/robot-programming-software/edpy/
Before you begin this build, check that you have everything you need and that you
can do the programming required. It’s also a good idea to get familiar with how to
build with your Edison robot.

To make the EdRoboClaw, you will need:

• 2 Edison robots
• 1 EdCreate – Edison robot creator’s kit
• 1 TV or DVD remote
• 1 print-out of the ‘Bottom Edison’ barcodes sheet (from in this guide)
• 1 print-out of the ‘Top Edison’ barcodes sheet (from in this guide)

To program the EdRoboClaw, you will need to program a remote control with six
different commands using the barcodes in this guide.

You can build with Edison using an EdCreate creator’s kit or any other LEGO brick
compatible building system.

Bricks can be attached to the top and bottom of your Edison robot. Pegs can be
attached on the sides of Edison. When Edison’s wheels are removed, cross axles
can be used in the powered sockets.

There are three types of holes on the side of Edison: pin holes, stud holes, and cross
axle sockets. Look at the following images to learn more about how to connect and
build with Edison.
 Edison’s side and top connections
2 x 8 studs

2 x 8 studs

2x stud holes

Stud hole Pin hole

Stud hole
Powered cross
2x pin holes axle socket

Hole type Description Connects to

A full-depth hole for
Pin hole
connecting pegs.

A hole of normal stud-

Stud hole depth which works with
half pegs.

A powered socket which

Cross axle socket
rotates.

Removable skid

2 x 8 sockets

2 x 2 studs
2 x 8 sockets

Edison’s bottom and wheel connections

The EdRoboClaw is a remote-controlled robotic arm with a moving base that you can
drive around. The robotic arm of the EdRoboClaw can open and close to pick up and
carry objects such as the grey 7-hole long beam from the EdCreate kit.

This is what the finished EdRoboClaw looks like:

Before you begin building with the EdCreate parts, you will need to program the
remote-control codes into both Edison robots.

The next two pages have the remote-control barcodes for the bottom and top Edison
robots. Print out these pages so you can drive your Edison robots over the barcodes.
 Print out this page!

The bottom Edison is the driving Edison.

The driving Edison will control the movement of the EdRoboClaw (forwards,
backwards, spin left and spin right). Drive this Edison over the following barcodes,
programming each to a button that corresponds well with the driving manoeuvre on
the remote control. Don’t use buttons that you want to use to control the robotic claw.

1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side

2. Press the record (round) button 3 times
3. Edison will drive forward and scan the barcode
4. Press a button on your TV/DVD remote that you want to activate that function

Barcode – IR learn drive forward

Barcode – IR learn drive backward

Barcode – IR learn spin right

Barcode – IR learn spin left

 Print out this page!

The top Edison controls the robotic claw arm.

You may want to mark the Edison robots so you don’t confuse which one is
programmed to be the bottom robot and which one is programmed to be the top one
while you are building. You can mark one of the Edison’s as the ‘top’ robot by using
a spare brick or a piece of tape to indicate it is the top Edison. You can also take the
wheels off the top robot as soon as you finish programming this Edison so you won’t
get confused!

The claw arm Edison will control the articulated robotic arm. Drive this Edison over
the following barcodes, programming each to a button that corresponds well with the
open or close manoeuvre on the remote control. Don’t use buttons that you used to
control how the EdRoboClaw drives.

1. Place Edison facing the barcode on the right side

2. Press the record (round) button 3 times
3. Edison will drive forward and scan the barcode
4. Press a button on your TV/DVD remote that you want to activate that function

Barcode – IR learn Claw Arm close claw and pick up

Barcode – IR learn Claw Arm drop down and open claw

 Drive forwards
Spin left

Spin right

Drive backwards

Drop down and

Close and pick up
open the claw
the claw

Follow the illustrations step by step to build the EdRoboClaw.

Step number

Build instructions

Parts key

One-to-one piece measurement (when printed at 100% on A4 page). The

number in the circle indicates the part’s length in number of studs.
1

2
3
2x 1x 1x

1:1
③

4
1x 1x 1x 1x

1:1
⑫
5
2x x1 x1

1:1
③

6
1x 1x
7
1x 2x 1x

1:1
⑮

8
2x 1x 3x

1:1
④
9
1x 1x 1x

10
00 3x 2x
11
1x 1x 1x

1:1
⑮

12
1x 1x 1x
13
2x 1x 1x

1:1
③ ⑤

14
2x
15