Introduction to Swish Card Coding

Learners will be introduced to Swish Card programming of Phiro robot.

Objective

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to

  • Identify and understand the 6 Color coded categories of Swish Cards: movement, music, control,light,pre-coded, DIY code cards.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how to program without a computer
  • Become familiar with concept of sequence and debugging
  • Be introduced to creative coding with Phiro & Swish Cards by exploring example programs
  • Imagine possibilities of their own Swish Card-based creative coding of robots
Subjects

Robotics, Coding

Age

4 - 8 Years

Duration

30 min

Robot & Accessories Needed

Phiro Unplugged or Phiro Pro robot

Review

Intro to Robotics & Coding
User Manual

  • step1
  • step2
  • step3
STEP 1

Understanding Phiro's Swish Cards

Swish Cards are coding cards that you can use to program Phiro robots. Each Swish Card makes Phiro do something!

Motion Swish Cards

These cards make Phiro move 15 cm Forward,15 cm Backward, or Turn 90 degrees

These cards make Phiro's motors move individually, but only with the orange control Repeat Forever or Operation Time Swish Cards. These cards helps figure out how Phiro moves in different directions and how its motors can be controlled independently.

These cards make Phiro move Continuously Forward, Backward, or Turn 90 degrees, but only with the the orange control Repeat Forever Swish Card.

Try out these cards and watch what Phiro does!

Music Swish Cards

These cards make Phiro play Simple Music Notes or Tones. Join them together to make a song!

Use the Sound Break card in between two identical tone cards.

Lights Swish Cards

These cards make Phiro's front lights glow with different colors. You can choose to control the LEFT and RIGHT LED lights independently or at the same time.

Try making Phiro glow your favorite color!

Control Swish Cards

These Control cards control the way Phiro behaves. Repeat Cards repeat all the cards that come before it and repeat X times MORE the cards swiped.

These Control cards controls Phiro's 6 pairs of Sensors

Else card will be used whenever If card is used for Phiro to do alternative action.

Pre-Coded Swish Cards

These cards are pre-coded and make Phiro do some cool stuff! Try it out and watch what Phiro does.

DIY Code Swish Cards

These cards are empty and waiting for you to enter code & make Phiro do anything you imagine! Shade the bottom boxes in black and white code patterns, from any of the colorful Swish Cards, and watch what Phiro does.

Write the card number on top of the card to keep track.

STEP 2

Programming Phiro with Swish Cards

1.Turn on Phiro.

2. Press Mode button until the Digital Display on Phiro shows 00

3. Make sure all previous programs are cleared

4. Swipe the Swish Card in the correct side & direction as indicated

5. Press Download

6. Press Play

Let's explore some sample Swish Cards programs.

STEP 3

Example Program 1

Let's make Phiro do the following actions:

1.Move Forward 15cm,

2.Light up Right Led Red,

3.Turn Left,

4.Move Forward 30cm,

5.Play "Do" tone.

This is the flow of the program.

Debug: Use Last Card Delete button if required

Example Program 2

Let's make Phiro do the following actions:

1.Move Forward 15cm,

2.Light up Left Led Magenta,

3.Light up Right Led Cyan,

4.Turn Left,

5.Move Forward 30cm,

6.Play "Do" tone,

7.Play "Re" tone,

8.Play "Mi" tone.

This is the flow of the program.

What can you make Phiro do with Swish Cards? Imagine making Phiro into a ferris wheel and moving like one, how would you create & code it?