coderoad - ambient programming

This explores a type of programming where elements of programs are "written out" in various forms around one's physical environment. The small Lego car includes a PIC microprocessor, and its undercarriage contains a "program reader" - essentially, a light source and sensor that can read the reflectance of the surface underneath the car.

A program instruction (for example, a turn to the left instruction) is written out as a bar code. If the car were to roll over (and thus read) a "turn left" instruction, it would turn left and then continue on its way.

The car may thus be viewed not simply as a programmed robot, but as a device that moves about in accordance with instructions written out on the surface beneath it. By creating a small set of distinct commands that the car can read and laying them out on the floor, one can in effect "write a program" on the floor of one's room.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ambient programming
• robot car
• bar code