Toronto
York University – Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence
11 Arboretum Lane, North York, ON M3J 1P3
Command & Control: Direct Your Robot
Jan 31, 2026
11:00 am – 3:00 pm EST
WORKSHOP
Command & Control: Direct Your Robot
A workshop that focuses on movement and safety – connecting projects to self-driving cars, factory robots, and everyday transportation systems.
Jan 31, 2026
Register today. Space is limited.
Space is limited. Select your location to register:
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About this workshop
This January Workshop continues to focus on movement and safety. Beginners continue by connecting motors to the hub and learn how to control speed, direction, and stopping on simple tracks, combining motors with colour sensors to trigger actions like slowing down at “warning” colours or stopping at a “red light.” They see how small changes in code affect how smoothly and safely their robots move.
Advanced learners build on this by adding force sensors to simulate safety features such as bump detection, collision alerts, and emergency stops when a robot encounters an obstacle. They experiment with scenarios where the robot must react quickly and reliably to keep “passengers” and surroundings safe.
Both tracks emphasize real-world parallels to traffic systems, vehicle automation, and automotive safety, helping learners connect their projects to self-driving cars, factory robots, and everyday transportation systems.
Beginners continue building confidence by connecting motors and programming vehicles to respond to colour-coded tracks, such as stopping at red, slowing at warning colours, and accelerating on green.
- Connect Motors Correctly: Learners will configure hub ports for proper motor function.
- Program If Statements: Students will change robot behaviour based on track colours.
- Use Loops for Monitoring: Learners will apply forever loops for continuous responses.
- Adjust Speed and Direction: Students will fine-tune vehicle performance on tracks.
- Compare to Traffic Systems: Learners will relate programming to real-world signals.
Advanced learners explore the LEGO force sensor, building safety routines that simulate bumper systems and emergency responses.
- Explain Force Sensors: Students will describe how force sensors measure pressure.
- Simulate Vehicle Safety: Learners will program bump detection and auto-stop systems.
- Integrate Sensors with Motors: Students will create reactive safety programs.
- Design Escape Behaviors: Learners will code robots to reroute when trapped.
- Connect to Real Safety Systems: Students will link robotics learning to airbags, brakes, and crash detection.
Register by location
Hamilton
McMaster University, John Hodgins Engineering Building
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON
Command & Control: Direct Your Robot
Jan 31, 2026
11:00 am – 3:00 pm EST
Windsor
University of Windsor, Erie Building
401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON
Command & Control: Direct Your Robot
Jan 31, 2026
11:00 am – 3:00 pm EST
Edmonton
NorQuest College
10215 108 St NW, Edmonton, AB
Command & Control: Direct Your Robot
Jan 31, 2026
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm MST
Calgary
University of Calgary, School of Computer Science
2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB
Command & Control: Direct Your Robot
Jan 31, 2026
11:00 am – 3:00 pm MST
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