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Learning Path

40 labs. Each one builds on the last.

Four levels of structured practice. Every lab ships with starter code, step-by-step instructions, hints, a collapsible solution, and a debug checklist. Open any lab in the Learning Hub.

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Four levels

40 labs. Four levels. One coherent path.

Every level builds directly on the last. Students can enter at any level, but most find value in starting at Level 1 even if they already know Python.

Level 1 — Control
Drive the hardware
SSH in, write joint commands, author motion sequences. First contact with real hardware.
Level 2 — React
Add sensors
Build reactive behaviors that respond to distance, IMU, and face detection in real time.
Level 3 — Perceive
Build vision systems
OpenCV pipelines, depth-based tracking, state machine design, and multi-sensor integration.
Level 4 — Create
Author full systems
Fully student-written programs, multi-node architecture, and a live demo showcase.
Level 1 — Foundation
Lab 01
Beginner30 min
Hello Robot Node

Write your first ROS 2 node. Learn rclpy, Node, timer callbacks, and the logger. The node prints to screen on a 1-second loop.

Topics: none · No hardware required
Full content available →
Lab 02
Beginner45 min
Move One Joint

Publish a JointState message to move the right shoulder joint. Learn radians, clamping, and the /swayform/joint_targets topic.

Topics: /swayform/joint_targets · Robot required
Full content available →
Lab 03
Beginner60 min
Basic Wave with State Machine

Build a state machine that cycles through arm positions to produce a wave. States, timers, and joint sequences.

Lab 04
Beginner45 min
Head Scan

Drive neck_yaw with a sine wave. Continuous oscillation, smooth motion, and understanding the 20Hz publish loop.

Lab 05
Intermediate60 min
Command Menu Node

Terminal input() loop lets users type pose names. The node looks them up in a dictionary and publishes the angles.

Lab 06
Intermediate75 min
Gesture Sequence

Design 4+ custom keyframes with smoothstep interpolation. Multiple joints moving simultaneously with natural easing.

Lab 07–10 Q1 continued
Motion Dictionary · Camera Placeholder · Safety Stop · Final Routine

Final four Q1 labs building toward a complete head+arm+hand routine. Full content in the Learning Hub.

Level 2 — Sensors & Reaction
Lab 11
Intermediate60 min
Read Joint State Feedback

Subscribe to /swayform/joint_states and log real joint positions. Understand dead-band and how actual position differs from commanded.

Topics: /swayform/joint_states · Robot required
Full content available →
Lab 12
Intermediate75 min
Distance Sensor Trigger

Subscribe to the HC-SR04 range topic. Implement proximity zones with hysteresis so the robot reacts when someone walks up.

Lab 13
Intermediate60 min
Button-Triggered Pose

Read a GPIO button press, debounce it in software, and trigger a pose sequence on each press using event-driven publishing.

Lab 14–20 Q2 continued
IMU · Color Tracker · Face Detection · Head Gaze · Audio · Multi-Sensor · Reactive Demo

Seven more labs building toward a full reactive demo: distance + face detection + TTS + motion. Full content in Learning Hub.

Level 3 — Expression & Architecture
Lab 21
Advanced90 min
Emotion State Machine

Build a state machine with Happy, Thinking, Explaining, and Idle states. Each state triggers a pose + audio sequence. Transitions via ROS 2 String messages.

Topics: /swayform/emotion · Robot + speaker required
Full content available →
Lab 22–30 Q3 continued
Presentation Mode · TTS Sync · Parameters · Launch Files · Bag Record · Idle Behavior · ArUco · Bilateral Arms · Midpoint Project

Nine labs covering advanced ROS 2 patterns, expressive motion design, and the Q3 midpoint interactive demo project.

Level 4 — Project Track
Lab 31
Advanced2 sessions
Project Architecture Design

Create a new ROS 2 package from scratch. Design the node graph, file structure, and topic list for a full original project. Write the project proposal document.

No robot required for architecture phase
Full content available →
Lab 32–40 Q4 continued
Pose Library · State Machine · Sensor Integration · Audio + Vision · Safety Testing · Launch + Tuning · Rehearsal · Debugging · Final Demo

Nine labs taking the project from architecture through final showcase presentation and documentation.

Ready to bring SwayForm to your program?

These labs are designed for high school and community college programs. Contact us to request a demo or learn more.

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