Students build with and keep a professional robotics kit, including a PiCar-X AI robot and a CoDrone EDU, allowing them to continue building long after the course.
The AI Robotics & Autonomous Drone Lab is a live, online program where middle and high school students build and program real Python-powered robots and autonomous drones. Students will engage in hands-on projects, learning to wire sensors, debug hardware, and write Python code for various robotic behaviors. The curriculum covers foundational Python for robotics, connecting hardware, building and driving a PiCar-X robot, implementing obstacle avoidance and line-following, understanding machine learning concepts, and utilizing computer vision (OpenCV) for object and color detection. The program culminates in programming autonomous flight logic for a CoDrone EDU, including search patterns and responsive behaviors. Students will complete three main projects: an autonomous obstacle avoider, a smart vision sorting bot, and an AI-inspired drone challenge, all of which contribute to a portfolio and provide a strong foundation in AI, robotics, and computer vision.
A typical session involves an interactive lecture introducing an AI/ML concept, followed by a live coding walkthrough by the instructor, and then students work on a guided hands-on project with support and feedback.
This program is best for middle and high school students (grades 6-12) who are curious about AI, robotics, and drones, and want to build real projects with Python, regardless of prior coding experience.
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