Our project aimed to enhance robotics education using Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs). Imagine a person walking up and down hills—they naturally adjust how hard they push with their legs to move efficiently across changing terrain. Similarly, a robot can use a CVT to adjust its mechanical power output as it moves dynamically.
We designed a robot with two nylon wheels spinning on a rotating aluminum cylinder. These wheels, fitted to a mechanical arm, follow a path based on their interaction with the cylinder. As our robot steers each wheel continuously, their speeds change in different directions, allowing smooth arm movement. We attached a light to trace this motion, visible on a screen.
The time between seeing the light point and the curve appearing creates a guessing game. Clear coverings protect viewers while maintaining engagement. We balanced the robot’s size for easy setup.
Our robot uses a small computer system with motors and sensors to control arm movement. We programmed shapes and designed a user interface for selection. Once selected, the computer signals motors to steer the wheels, creating the shape.