MARC: The multi-function armless robot (Educational Robot Trainer)

The Multi-Function Armless Robot (Educational Robot Trainer), MARC, is a Z-80 based microprocessor system. It is designed to create an interesting aid in teaching people simple robotics. It is perceived to serve as a simple interface that might help break the uninitiated student, experimenter or general hobbyist into this very complex field. The proponents of this study have developed a simple robot whose modules are primarily based on MICLAB2 experiments such as the LED, seven-segment display and keyboard modules for its input and output functions. In addition, MARC also has a clock, power supply, speech synthesizer, stepper motor sequence/driver, collision sensor and the ability to maneuver upon sensing obstacles in the simplest possible way. The group has found out several irregularities between theoretical principles and actual results. One of these is the loading capability of the 74LS IC series which has greatly affected the system because it has utilized a number of latches. Another one is with respect to the speech module particularly with the clarity of pronunciation of phonemes that are used to make words and sentences. The proponents has recommended several improvements that can be done on MARC to make it more helpful and friendly to its users and powerful in the performance of the tasks for which it was initially conceived. Some of these recommendations are the inclusion of more specialized chips particularly for the speech and sensor modules of this robot, maximizing memory space to accommodate more modules, addition of RAM and use of interrupt mechanisms instead of polling procedures in acquiring inputs to the robot. In conclusion, the current features of MARC, coupled with the analysis and recommendations provided in this documentation, will surely pave the way for further advancements in the field of robotics specifically in its educational interests