ICDL Digital Student

ROBOTICS
Syllabus 1.0

Syllabus Document

Copyright 2020 ICDL Foundation. ICDL Foundation, ICDL Europe, ICDL, ECDL and related logos are registered business names and/or trademarks of ECDL Foundation.
© 2020 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Robotics - Syllabus - V1.0 Page 1 of 6
Purpose
This document details the syllabus for the Robotics module. The syllabus describes, through
learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that a candidate for the Robotics module should
possess. The syllabus also provides the basis for the theory and practice-based test in this
module.

Copyright © 2020 ICDL Foundation

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permitted by ICDL Foundation. Enquiries for permission to reproduce material should be
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Disclaimer
Although every care has been taken by ICDL Foundation in the preparation of this publication,
no warranty is given by ICDL Foundation, as publisher, as to the completeness of the
information contained within it and neither shall ICDL Foundation be responsible or liable for
any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, loss or damage whatsoever arising by virtue of such
information or any instructions or advice contained within this publication. Changes may be
made by ICDL Foundation at its own discretion and at any time without notice.

Copyright 2020 ICDL Foundation. ICDL Foundation, ICDL Europe, ICDL, ECDL and related logos are registered business names and/or trademarks of ECDL Foundation.
© 2020 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Robotics - Syllabus - V1.0 Page 2 of 6
 Robotics

This module sets out the basic principles of robotics and covers the assembly, programming, and control
of a simple robot.

Module Goals

Successful candidates will be able to:

• Understand key concepts relating to robots and robotics systems, and identify examples of
robots
• Identify the main parts of a robot and their function, including microcontrollers, actuators,
sensors, and power sources
• Understand the elements of a simple control system, and test a control system
• Understand basic programming concepts, and create and execute a programme in a visual
programming language
• Set up a robot, implement robotic motion, and control a robot in an environment

CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1 Robotic Concepts 1.1 Robots and 1.1.1 Define robots, robotics systems.
Automated Systems

1.1.2 Understand that robots can be teleoperated,

semi-autonomous, autonomous.

1.1.3 Understand that robots can be fixed or mobile.

1.2 The Use of Robots 1.2.1 Identify common uses of robots in different
environments like: home, school, manufacturing,
healthcare.

1.2.2 Identify advanced uses of robots like: driverless

cars, robot-assisted surgery.

1.2.3 Identify ethical issues in the use of robots like:

harming humans.

2 Robotics Parts 2.1 Basic Parts and 2.1.1 Identify the basic parts of a robot like: actuator,
Components microcontroller, sensor, power source.

2.1.2 Identify components in a robot kit like: chassis,

electronics parts, cables, tools and parts for
assembly.

2.2 Microcontroller 2.2.1 Recognise that the microcontroller collects

information from input devices like sensors,
executes a program, controls output devices like
LED lights, sound device.

2.2.2 Identify common microcontroller ports like:

power, USB, wireless, input, output.

© 2020 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Robotics – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 3 of 6

 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

2.3 Actuator System 2.3.1 Identify main parts of the actuator system like:
switch, motor.

2.3.2 Understand that the actuator transforms electrical

power into mechanical power, enabling the robot
to function.

2.4 Sensor 2.4.1 Understand that a sensor detects changes in its

environment like: light intensity, distance, angle.

2.4.2 Recognise the function of different types of

sensors like: light, sound, gyroscope.

2.5 Locomotion, Power 2.5.1 Identify the parts of a robot that support motion
like: arm, wheels.

2.5.2 Identify power sources like: batteries, solar

power.

3 Simple Control 3.1 Control System 3.1.1 Identify the elements of a control system.
System Overview Understand the basic types of control: open loop,
closed loop.

3.1.2 Recognise connections to a microcontroller like:

button, power, motor, USB input, wireless
technology, sensors, output devices.

3.1.3 Identify connections to the microcontroller

represented in a block diagram.

3.1.4 Set up a simple control system using elements

like: power, motor, sensors.

3.2 Test a Simple 3.2.1 Run pre-defined programs to provide output

Control System values like: light intensity, sound, distance, angle.

3.2.2 Recognise that there is a response time between

inputs and outputs.

3.2.3 Recognise that changing variables in a program

affects outputs.

4 Visual Programming 4.1 Programming 4.1.1 Define the terms program, programming
Basics language.

4.1.2 Recognise blocks as a basic element in a visual

programming language. Recognise common
block categories like: Events, Control.

4.1.3 Recognise typical activities in the creation of a

program like: analyse a task, design a solution,
write a program, test and improve the program.

4.1.4 Understand the basic elements of a program like:

sequence, decision, loop.

4.1.5 Understand how a flowchart can be used to

present the steps in a solution.

© 2020 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Robotics – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 4 of 6

 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

4.2 Constant, Variable 4.2.1 Distinguish between the terms variable and
constant used in a program.

4.2.2 Create new variables and assign suitable input in

a program.

4.3 Events, Controls 4.3.1 Use an Events block in a program like: when.

4.3.2 Use a Control block in a program like: wait, wait

until.

4.3.3 Apply a loop or continuous action using controls

in a program like: forever, repeat.

4.3.4 Apply conditions using controls in a program like:

if, then, else.

4.3.5 Apply logic operators in a program like: and, not,

or.

4.4 Program Creation 4.4.1 Outline a plan to describe and solve a problem
and Execution like: control an output, complete a series of
actions.

4.4.2 Draw a flowchart to present the steps in a

solution.

4.4.3 Build a program in a visual programming

language to solve a problem like: control an
output, complete a series of actions.

4.4.4 Recognise that there may be more than one way

of writing a program to solve the same problem.

4.4.5 Run a program. Identify and fix errors in a

program.

5 Working with Robots 5.1 Setup 5.1.1 Understand and implement safety guidelines like:
safe handling of electrical items and tools,
awareness of safety of self and others.

5.1.2 Assemble a robot using available tools.

5.2 Implementing 5.2.1 Implement simple robotic motion like: stop, move
Robotic Motion forward or backward, turn.

5.2.2 Understand the relationships between power,

distance, speed, time in robotic motion.

5.2.3 Apply concepts of power, distance, speed, time

to control motions like: move forward, backward.
Recognise that momentum and friction can affect
robotic motion.

5.2.4 Understand the relationship between power,

rotational speed, angle of rotation in robotic
motion.

© 2020 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Robotics – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 5 of 6

 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

5.3 Implementing 5.3.1 Use a robot to collect sensor data like: distance,
Robotic Controls sound, angle, light.

5.3.2 Build, test and refine a program to control the

robot using an input sensor like: light, sound,
gyroscope.

5.3.3 Understand the importance of testing in order to

eliminate errors.

5.3.4 Understand that some causes of errors are

random like: dust, unknown variables.

5.4 Control in an 5.4.1 Navigate a robot in an environment to complete

Environment tasks using functionality like: following or avoiding
a line; following or avoiding an object, a barrier;
moving up, down a slope.

5.4.2 Navigate a robot in an environment to complete a

scenario using an appropriate combination of
motions and functionalities.

5.4.3 Recognise the importance of teamwork when

collaborating on a robot. Understand skills like:
planning, communication, allocation of tasks.

© 2020 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Robotics – Syllabus – V1.0 Page 6 of 6