Empowering Education Through Robotics
Discover how our innovative educational robot is transforming classrooms and making learning more inclusive for all students. It all began with an idea. It evolved into an inclusive product and this product, we hope, will lead to more equal opportunities.
Dr.-Ing. Mustafa Bilgin, M.Ed.
Our Key Features
Conceptual Design
We develop comprehensive concepts that consider the needs of all user groups.
Hardware and Software Development
We construct physical components and program digital elements to create a cohesive educational tool.
Testing and Optimization
Our rigorous testing ensures functionality and user-friendliness, with continuous optimization.
Development of Instructional Materials
We create guides and materials in the form of a suitcase with all necessary components.
Accessories and Training Environment
We design accessories, and we create a suitable training environment.
TOKADI's SIMULATION GAME
Try out our simulation of TOKADI and discover how it works. <Try it>
Step-by-Step Construction
Building an inclusive Future: Our Educational Robot (TOKADI)
Inclusive Education Benefits
How TOKADI Supports Inclusive Learning
Our educational robot is designed to cater to diverse learning needs, making it a powerful tool for inclusive education. By integrating this technology into the classroom, teachers can provide personalized learning experiences that engage all students, regardless of their abilities.
The robot’s open-source nature allows for customization and adaptability, ensuring that it can meet the unique requirements of each educational setting. Additionally, its interactive features promote active learning and collaboration, fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
Details:
The ability to support different perceptions is essential for inclusion and enables children to work successfully in a wide range of environments and scenarios. Support for auditory perception helps children to recognise and interpret sounds, while kinaesthetic perception enables them to estimate distances and the movement of the inclusive robot within the room. The selective perception of the user interface and operability and the individual adjustability of e.g. the volume (sensitivity) is particularly useful to help distinguish important from unimportant information, which can be important in an overstimulating environment. Tactile perception allows the child to learn and navigate by touch, and visual perception allows them to process and interpret light information (LED signals). In addition, touchless auditive sound control (clapping, snapping, whistling, body percussion, instruments such as sticks and drums, etc.) can be activated, which can also support children with forms of dysmelia or amelia.
Our inclusive robot can be a great help for individuals with various needs and offers support through the greatest possible accessibility. The integration of an interface that uses both auditory and visual signals is another way to make interaction with the robot easier and more accessible. The auditive sequence of sounds representing a theme card, together with the visual display of the corresponding icon on an 8-8 LED matrix, provides clear and immediate feedback for children to select a particular category from a range of theme cards. This can be particularly useful for individuals with different sensory abilities or specific support needs. Selecting a theme card from the sequence of sounds or symbols can then initiate specific activities, such as unplugged methods that teach information technology concepts through play, or activities that support social and emotional development. This shows how technology can be used to support individual learning processes and the development of key competences in terms of child-robot interaction.
Inclusive Potential of Our Educational Robot
Our educational robot is built on open source and open hardware principles, making it a valuable resource in the realm of Open Educational Resources (OER). This inclusivity ensures that educators and students from various backgrounds can access, modify, and improve the robot’s functionalities to suit their unique educational needs. By leveraging the power of community-driven development, we aim to create a more equitable learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Furthermore, the robot’s design encourages collaborative learning and problem-solving, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Its adaptability means it can be customized to support different learning styles and abilities, making it a versatile tool in promoting inclusive education. By integrating our robot into the curriculum, schools can provide a hands-on learning experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Pros and cons compared to other educational robots
Introduction:
In the following, we would like to present the pros and cons compared to other educational robots. We will not mention these educational robots for legal reason.
Pro (advantages):
We also want to be open-source hardware in the design and development of our inclusive educational robot, Tokadi.
><
- The robot is designed to be largely accessible to students with diverse learning needs, fostering an inclusive classroom environment.
>< - Instead of buying expensive add-ons (e.g. shovel, pen holder, sunglasses), you can simply make them yourself, e.g. with a 3D printer, from cardboard or wood. The integrated magnets can be used to attach them. You will need to buy M2 washers (DIN 125 A) from a DIY store.
>< - Carefully selected plug connectors allow electronic components to be connected easily (tested with 3-year-old children) without causing any short circuits.
>< - Specially 3D-printed symbols, which have been divided into two parts like a kind of puzzle, make it easy (tested with 3-year-old children) to identify related plug connectors.
>< - When developing Tokadi, care was taken to keep the price below approx. €20 per educational robot, so families from
low socio-economic backgrounds, as well as educational institutions with limited financial resources, can benefit.
Con (Disadvantages):
- Setting up the robot initially can be challenging for educators without any technical backgrounds.
>< - Broken or destroyed parts can be replaced. This is an advantage, but step-by-step video training is necessary
to replace these parts.
How to assemble TOKADI? – a step-by-step guide
Introduction
Welcome to the world of robots. 🤖❤️ With TOKADI, we also welcome you to the world of inclusive educational robots! Now it’s time to roll up your shirtsleeves to get to work.😉 We’ll train you step by step to assemble and use our TOKADI together with your learners.
1st step | First Check-up
For the intervention, you should have received a fully assembled inclusive educational robot (TOKADI). Its functionality has been checked (functional and quality test). For the subsequent assembly, you should disassemble the TOKADI into several components. Remember that not all individual parts need to be removed.
The following parts should be possible for a relatively easy assembly
in primary school (8 to 9 years):
- Screws
- Housing (underside)
- Shell (upperside)
- Rims
- Tyres
- Head
- Tail
- Screwing element (with LED matrix and buttons)
Here’s a tip: in case you want to work and assemble in a differentiated way (graded according to the difficulty level), you can also decide on how you would like to make it easier or more difficult for your learners. For this purpose, you can already assemble parts in such a way that your learners only have to assemble a few simple parts (tyres on wheels; screwing to the casing; screwing to the shell), for example. The most difficult in differentiation is when learners have to solder all the electronic parts together and even 3D print the plastic parts themselves.
2nd step | Individual parts
Screws (2 x short and 3 x long)
Rims (2 x ball bearing connectors and 2 x connectors for motors)*
Tyres (4x; Reference)*
Shield (downside)
Tactile buttons
(Turn right; forward; turn left; delete sequences; random card; record / perform)
Screwing element
Housing (underside)
Head
Tail
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*Rims + Various tyres can be used under the reference. Set of wheels for OpenRC Truggy by Palmiga. The size only needs to be scaled down to 50 x 50 mm within the slicer (external link).
3rd step | Wiring electronic components
Download | Complete
| Arduino Nano | 8×8 LED-Matrix | Description |
| A0 (V) | VCC | Power supply (5V) |
| A0 (G) | GND | Ground (-) |
| D12 (S) | DIN | Data input |
| D13 (S) | CS | Chip Select |
| D11 (S) | CLK | Clock |
| Arduino Nano | Piezo buzzer | Description |
| D2 (S) | VCC | Power supply (~5V) |
| D2 (G) | GND | Ground (-) |
Download | LED-Matrix (Max7219) and piezo buzzer
| DC 3-12V tt Motor | mx1508 driver | Description |
| Power supply (5V) | Motor A (V) | Power supply (5V) |
| Ground (-) | Motor B (GND) | Ground (-) |
| Power supply (5V) | Motor A (V) | Power supply (5V) |
| Ground (-) | Motor B (GND) | Ground (-) |
| Arduino Nano | mx1508 driver | Description |
| D9 | INT1 | Interrupt |
| D10 | INT2 | Interrupt |
| D5 | INT3 | Interrupt |
| D6 | INT4 | Interrupt |
| Arduino Nano | Battery charger | Description |
| 5V | OUT + | Power supply (~5V) |
| GND | OUT – | Ground (-) |
| 18650 Battery | Battery charger | |
| GND (-) | B+ | |
| 3.7 V (+) | B- | |
Download | Energy supply (tp4056) and motor control (mx1508)
| Arduino Nano | Buttons | Description |
| A0 (S) | GND (-) | Digital input, forward |
| A1 (S) | GND (-) | Digital input , left |
| A2 (S) | GND (-) | Digital input, right |
| D7 (S) | GND (-) | Digital input, delete |
| A3 (S) | GND (-) | Digital input, record / perform |
| D8 (S) | GND (-) | Digital input Randomization |
| Arduino Nano | LED´s | Description |
| A5 (S) | GND (-) | Green |
| A4 (S) | GND (-) | Red |
Download | LEDs and buttons
4th step | Upload or Update Firmware (optional)
1.step | Install Arduino IDE
(Software to upload the firmware)
The Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is an open-source software specifically designed for programming Arduino embedded systems. It includes a code editor for writing and editing code. Libraries are integrated, they provide pre-made functions and examples. Programs written for Arduino are called “sketches.” These can be written directly in the IDE and uploaded to the Arduino board.
2.step | Install Arduino Nano Driver
You should download and install the Arduino driver at:
Windows: external link
Macintosh: external link
(You need to restart your computer)
3. step | Open firmware
→ “File” → “Open”
If it is a Zip-File, you need to unzip it first!
Video link to YouTube
4. step | Install libraries inside Arduino
You have to install the following libraries at
→ “Tools” → “Manage libraries”:
a) LedControl by Eberhard Fahle
b) MX1508 by Sheng Saetern
5. step | Choose Arduino Nano
→ “Tools” → “Board” → Nano
6.step | Plugin USB-C to Arduino & your computer
→ “Tools” → “Port” (find your USB port)
7.step | Try standard processes or change to old bootloader
→ “Tools” → “Processor”
8. step Upload the Firmware
Klick on “Upload”
5th step | Charge TOKADI's battery
You will need a USB-A to USB-C cable and a 5V (Volt) and 1A (Ampere) charger. Typically, a smartphone charger. A USB-C slot can be found on the underside of TOKADI, into which the charging cable can be plugged. Charging takes about 1 hour. Charging is indicated by a red light and full charging is indicated by a blue light.
How to use TOKADI? – a step-by-step guide
Introduction
Here you will learn how to work with TOKADI in a crash course. You will familiarise yourself with the functions and special features of TOKADI. We will also show you the limits and tricks of using our inclusive robot. Videos will also be made available on the YouTube channel. You can find these in the Blog tab.
1st step | Functionality
Our software allows you to control the inclusive educational robots (TOKADI) motors by pressing the buttons and recording a sequence of movements that can be subsequently run. The LED matrix is used to visualise the status of the recording.
Button 1 (forward)
When pressed, TOKADI moves forwards.
Button 2 (turn left)
TOKADI turns left when this button is pressed.
Button 3 (turn right)
TOKADI turns to the right.
Button 4 (recording)
Starts and stops the recording of a movement sequence.
During recording, actions are saved that can be subsequently played back.
Symbols on the LED matrix indicate the status of the recording.
Button 5 (delete sequence)
Deletes the recorded sequence and indicates this with a red LED (or symbol)
on the matrix.
Button 6 (LED matrix)
Displays random symbols on the LED matrix.
2nd step | Hello World — First steps
– Functions –
– Record and run a sequence –
(a) Press the record button (▶️) to start recording.
(b) The LED matrix shows the symbol for the recording that has started (😊).
(c) While the recording is running, press the desired movement buttons (⬆️, ⬅️, ⬆️). Each action is saved individually in the sequence.
(d) To finish, press the record button again (▶️)
(e) The LED matrix displays the tick symbol (✅) for the end of the recording.
(f) TOKADI can now be placed anywhere.
(g) The sequence can now be executed by pressing the record button (▶️) again.
(h)Tokadi executes the commands.
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– Symbols on the LED matrix –
The LED matrix shows various symbols to indicate the status of the robot controller or special actions.
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3rd step | How to use accessoires
4th step | Connection to Scratch / Arduino
[Placeholder]
Download Center | Open-Source-Hardware
Welcome to the Download Center
Welcome to the Download Center, where all materials related to our inclusive educational robot TOKADI can be downloaded free of charge under the terms of our given licence. Interested individuals can reproduce TOKADI and use it for educational purposes.
Required licence
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
This license requires that reusers give credit to the creator. It allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, for noncommercial purposes only. If others modify or adapt the material, they must license the modified material under identical terms.
BY: Credit must be given to you, the creator. - NC: Only noncommercial use of your work is permitted. Noncommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation.
- SA: Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
Download | Firmware
TOKADI Firmware | Robots4Inclusion © 2024 by Sinan Aslan, Dincer Özsoy, Mustafa Bilgin is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
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Download | Firmware Version 1.9 (optimized control)
Download | Firmware Version 1.8 (sounds integrated)
Download | Firmware Version 1.7 (no sound)
Download | Firmware Version 1.6
Download | 3D-Printing parts
TOKADI 3D-printing STL-Files | Robots4Inclusion © 2024 by Mustafa Bilgin is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
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Rims with ball bearing connector (download)
Rims with connectors for motors (download)
Tyres (50mm * 50 mm) can be downloaded at the reference*
Shield (download)
Tactile buttons set (download)
Inside: Turn right; forward; turn left; delete sequences; random card; record / perform buttons
Screwing element (download)
Housing (download)
Head (download)
Inside: eyes, mouth, cheeks, head;
you need 5*2 mm round magnets;
two for nouse and one for head.
Tail (download)
Download | All parts
Join Us in Revolutionizing Education
Are you ready to take the next step in transforming your classroom with our educational robot? Sign up for updates, explore the robot’s features in-depth, or contact our team for more information. Together, we can create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment for all students.