Task · part of 4. Design, build, program and test a robot
4(b). Design the robot: sensors, programming, two degrees of freedom
Required Often forgotten
The design must use sensors and programming and have AT LEAST 2 DEGREES OF FREEDOM. Documented in the engineering notebook using drawings AND a written description, which is two forms of record rather than a choice between them.
Notes and warnings
Warning. AT LEAST 2 DEGREES OF FREEDOM, AND THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE THE BADGE SAYS SO. A degree of freedom is an independent way the machine can move: one motor driving one axis is one, an arm that both rotates and extends is two. The constraint applies to the design, but the thing that decides whether it can be met is the task you already agreed in 4(a). Also note that the documentation is drawings AND a written description, not one or the other.
Where this step comes from
- Robotics Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2026-01-07), Requirement 4(b) · The requirement states at least 2 degrees of freedom, and documentation using drawings and a written description.