Introducing Roamer Sensors

• Published November 6, 2014
• By Marcus Topham and Dave Catlin

Make Roamer Come Alive

This feature was first published in April 1991.  In it teacher Marcus Topham explains how sensors transform the capabilities of a robot.  In the original article Marcus explained what sensors mean to a robot and how where you find sensors in the animal world and in machines and some suggestions of how to introduce sensors to children.  Of course things since those days the “connected world” has arrived and sensors are everywhere.  However, the basic ideas behind sensors has not changed, so we have taken the opportunity to update the article.

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Roamer Crusoe

• Published February 10, 1992
• By admin
• Download PDF

Learning About Survival Skills with Roamer

This is one from the 1992 archives.  Of course this was a prototype for Bear Grylls Survival TV Shows.  Dot Ginn was working on several Roamer design projects, here she reported on one of them.  How does Roamer survive if stranded on a desert island. (more…)

Roamer as a Vehicle for Design Education in Schools

• Published September 6, 1991
• By Ron Jones

Creating Roamer Characters Meets Art and Design Needs

“Despite the relatively short time the Valiant Roamer has been available as a classroom tool, it has already begun to make an important contribution to the education of the nation’s children. With Valiant’s Design Pack, Roamer is set fair to make an even greater contribution in the 1990’s..” Ron Jones, School Inspector for IT with Lincolnshire Local Education Authority. In this article Ron looks at the design capability of the Roamer. (more…)

Programming Classic Roamer Sensors

• Published May 5, 1991
• By Dave Catlin

Generally writing about sensors make the subject appear complex. Using sensors, particularly with the Roamer, is much easier than it may seem, and the more you practice, the easier it gets! Marcus Topham continues his look at Roamer Sensors. (more…)

Hazardous Spherical Objects

• Published May 1, 1991
• By Dave Catlin and Keith Farley-Pettman

Roamer Cleans Up Danger

Roamer may first appear in the nursery but King Edward VI School are discovering it is capable of providing exciting and challenging projects for older pupils. Head of CDT, Keith Farley-Pettman has set the problem below for his year 9 students. Their solution was published in the next issue of GO.  Here we combine both problem and solution.  This is a Classic Roamer Activity, which is still relevant and feasible with the latest Roamer. (more…)