Project Impulse

A project for interested teens and young adults created by team TEC.

About

What participants will be doing:
During our workshop we are going to walk you through how to build a small AI-controlled circuit that works similarly to Project Impulse.

Project Information

• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Target Audience: College and High School
• Duration of Workshop: 1 hour - 1 hour and 30 minunte
• Needed Materials: Arduino Uno, Breadboard, LED Lights, Computer, Jumper Wires (two different colors), Resistor(s)
• Learning Outcomes: By teaching the basics of a simple circuit, we hope to inspire curiosity in robotics. Understanding how basic components like wires, batteries, and LEDs work together to create a functioning circuit can serve as a foundation for exploring more complex projects.
• Main Technology: Arduino IDE, is an intergrated development enviornment that is used to control the Arduino Uno, the brain of our workshop!
• Technology Ambassador Program (TAP) is a project-based class that provides a collaborative environment for students to work with their fellow classmates on a semester-long project using technologies of their choice. TAP strives to increase participation in IT through numerous outreach activities and workshops that are designed to showcase the creative and fun side of technology.

Commercial_TMNT.mp4

Team: TEC

(From left to right: Christian Bacon, Eyob Kabeto, Tia Best.)

• Tia Best
• Eyob Kabeto
• Christian Bacon

Advisors

• Dr. Wei Jin
• Dr. Xin Xu

Project Description

    Our project is centered around an Artificial Intelligence (Theta) that we built to control various forms of robotics. Impulse, our self built jumping robot, was the first instrument used to conduct our activities on. We were able to make the robot jump with simple commands given to our AI, Theta! We then attempted to use our AI to control pre built "MakeBlock Robots" which was also a success. For our ASF Demonstration, we used the now discontiued Cozmo Robots to navagate through a pre built maze in which also worked, giving AI the ability to control the robots motor functions, going left, right, forward and backwards! Our workshop consists of using this AI to control LED light circuts that the participants will be taught how to build. We hope to inspire those who find this intreresting to create or do something similar, rather it be creating their own AI, building their own robot, or both!

Publications

1. Eyob Kabeto, Tia Best, Christian Bacon, Dr. Wei Jin, Dr. Xin Xu. "Project Impulse", Technology Ambassador Program Expo, March 6, 2026, Georgia Gwinnett College.

Outreach

1. TAP Expo, March 6th, 2026, Georgia Gwinnett College: to promote the IT field and encourage college students to sign up for TAP.
2. ASF @ Piedmont Park, March 21st, 2026, Piedmont Park, Atlanta: to get childern and those in attencence involved and interested in technology.
3. SST STaRS Event, April 24th, 2026, Georgia Gwinnett College: an expo used to demonstrate the semester long projects of all student in attendence.
4. Norcross Cluster Innovation Showcase, April 25th, 2026, Downtown Norcross: an event we were invited to to showcase our project.
5. The 26th CREATES Conference, May 1st, 2026, Georgia Gwinnett College: an expo used to demonstrate the semester long projects of all student in attendence, similar to the STaRS Event just on a larger scale.

Similar Projects

If you're interested in more workshops that utilize robotics, check out this Sphero TAP Project!
If you're interested in more workshops that utilize AI, check out this AI Diva TAP Project!

Technology

• Raspberry Pi Pico – The Raspberry Pi Pico acts as the main controller for Project Impulse. It processes commands and controls the motors, servos, and sensors used throughout the robot.

• BTS7960 Motor Driver – The BTS7960 motor driver allows high-current control of the DC gear motor. This component gives the robot enough power to compress the springs used for jumping.

• DC Gear Motor – The DC gear motor is responsible for pulling and compressing the springs before launch. The gearing provides high torque for controlled movement and force.

• Servo Motors – Servo motors are used for mechanisms such as release systems and directional control. They allow precise movement during jumping and balancing actions.

• Compression Springs – Compression springs store mechanical energy which is released to launch the robot into the air. These springs are one of the main components that make jumping possible.

• Limit Switches – Limit switches help detect positions and movement limits within the robot. They improve safety and help automate the jumping sequence.

• 3D Printing – Many custom parts of Project Impulse were designed and manufactured using 3D printing. This allowed our team to rapidly prototype parts and create lightweight custom structures for the robot.

• Our team selected these technologies because they combine robotics, mechanical engineering, electronics, and programming into one project. Together, these components allowed us to create an AI-assisted spring-powered jumping robot while giving participants hands-on exposure to real-world engineering concepts.

Project Setup / Installation

Before beginning the workshop, participants will first build a simple LED circuit and then connect it to the Delta AI system for interactive control.

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Understanding Your Tools: The Breadboard

A breadboard is a tool used to create temporary electronic circuits without soldering. It allows users to safely prototype and test circuits quickly.

Power Rails

The long vertical columns on the sides of the breadboard (usually marked with red + and blue -) are connected all the way down the board.

These rails distribute power throughout the circuit.

Terminal Strips

The horizontal rows in the center section are connected in groups of five.

For example:

• If a wire is plugged into row 1a, it is electrically connected to:
  • 1b
  • 1c
  • 1d
  • 1e

This allows components to share electrical connections.

Center Divider

The gap running down the middle separates the left and right sides of the breadboard.

This helps isolate different sections of a circuit.

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Phase 1: Building the Circuit

Step 1 — Place the LED

Insert the LED into the breadboard.

Important:

• The longer leg is the:

  • Positive side (Anode)

• The shorter leg is the:

  • Negative side (Cathode)

Correct LED orientation is required for the circuit to work properly.

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Step 2 — Add the Resistor

Insert:

• One end of the resistor into the same row as the shorter LED leg.
• The other end into a different empty row.

The resistor limits electrical current and protects the LED from damage.

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Step 3 — Create the Ground Connection

Take a black jumper wire and:

• Plug one end into the same row as the empty side of the resistor.
• Plug the other end into the:

GND

pin on the Arduino Uno.

This completes the ground path of the circuit.

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Step 4 — Initial Power Test

Take a red jumper wire and:

• Plug one end into the same row as the longer LED leg.
• Plug the other end into the:

3.3V

pin on the Arduino Uno.

If the LED lights up, your circuit was built correctly.

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Phase 2: Opening the AI Software

Step 1 — Locate the Project Folder

Find the folder on your computer named:

Delta

This folder contains the Delta AI assistant software used during the workshop.

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Step 2 — Run the Startup Script

Inside the Delta folder, double-click:

run_windows

This script automatically launches the Delta AI system.

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Step 3 — Python Installation Check

Delta will automatically verify that Python is installed.

If Python Is Missing

A setup window will appear asking to install Python.

1. Click:

Yes

2. When the installer opens:
   • Make sure to check:

Add Python to PATH

3. Then click:

Install Now

Installation may take several minutes.

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Step 4 — Wait for Delta to Initialize

Once installation finishes, Delta will launch automatically.

Wait until the terminal displays:

Delta: System initialized. Hardware status: OK.

This means Delta is connected and ready.

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Phase 3: Switching to AI Control

Now you will transfer control of the LED from direct power to the Delta AI system.

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Step 1 — Locate the Red Jumper Wire

Find the red jumper wire currently connected to:

3.3V

on the Arduino Uno.

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Step 2 — Move the Wire

Unplug the wire from 3.3V and move it to:

Pin 11 (GPIO 11)

on the Arduino Uno.

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Step 3 — Observe the LED

The LED may temporarily turn off.

This is normal because Delta is now waiting for commands.

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Phase 4: Testing Delta

Once Delta is fully initialized, you can begin interacting with the AI assistant.

Try typing:

Blink light fast

The LED should begin blinking rapidly, showing that Delta successfully controls the circuit.

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Other Commands You Can Try

Turn light on

Turn light off

Blink light slowly

Let's run a scenario

Delta will process your commands and control the circuit in real time.

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Learning Outcomes

By completing this workshop, participants will:

• Learn how simple electronic circuits function
• Understand how breadboards and LEDs work
• Gain experience using Arduino hardware
• Explore how AI systems interact with physical electronics
• Combine software, hardware, and robotics into one interactive project

Short Demo Instructions

ProjectImpulse.mp4

This video demonstrates:

• How to build the LED circuit
• How to launch the Delta AI assistant
• How to connect the Arduino to AI control
• Example commands such as:
  • Turn light on
  • Blink light fast
  • Turn light off

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Workshop Instructions

Click here to view the Workshop Walk Through