Trash can robot: High School Robotics initiative

This paper, written by students on the Rockwall High School (Texas) Robotics Team, describes how we developed a remote-controlled, ldquotalkingrdquo trash can robot for greater public exposure for our team and for greater practical experience in robotic construction and design. We were motivated by the FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) emphasis on fostering enthusiasm in the technological field on a competitive level. We used this framework in a non-competition setting to design, build, and test our trash can robot. After the construction and trouble-shooting were completed, we demonstrated the trash can robot to our community, stimulating local interest in FIRST and robotics in general. We learned important real-world engineering concepts from this project and inspired fellow students with an enthusiasm for computer science, engineering, and technology.