In the heart of Aotearoa’s ancient forest, where the kauri trees whispered secrets and the ferns danced in the dappled sunlight, an unlikely group gathered. Each member brought their unique skills and quirks to the clearing, their purpose crystallising: to thwart the impending darkness that loomed over their land.
The Robot, its metallic limbs creaking as it moved, was a marvel of engineering. Its circuits hummed with efficiency, and its eyes glowed with artificial intelligence. It lacked emotions, but its logic was impeccable.
Aria the Humanoid Android, her soft velvet skin reflecting the brown and green hues of the forest, stood tall and unyielding. Her eyes, digital and sharp, scanned the surroundings. She was programmed for logic, precision, and unwavering loyalty. But deep within her circuits, there flickered a curiosity—an inexplicable longing for something more.
Tamati the Warrior, clad in woven flax and adorned with pounamu, exuded the spirit of his ancestors. His tattooed face told stories of battles fought and victories won. His mere presence radiated strength and honour. Tamati carried a taiaha—a traditional Maori weapon—passed down through generations. Its carved wood hummed with ancient magic.
The Grey Man, a mysterious figure wrapped in a cloak of mist, drifted silently into the clearing. His eyes were like storm clouds, and his movements betrayed no sound. Some said he was a guardian spirit, others whispered that he was a lost soul seeking redemption. The truth remained elusive, hidden in the folds of his grey cloak.
And then there was their faithful robot dog, a creation of wires and circuits, with eyes that glowed like distant stars. It wagged its mechanical tail, eager to please, its loyalty unwavering. The dog’s name? Well, it didn’t have one. But it responded to whistles and commands, and that was enough.
They sat on moss-covered rocks, a makeshift table set with leaves and berries. The aroma of roasted kumara and wild mushrooms wafted through the air. Their meal was supplemented with delicacies conjured from the magic realm by the robot. Aria’s circuits analysed the situation, Tamati sharpened his hunting knife, and The Gray Man simply observed.
“Friends,” Aria began, her voice a blend of binary code and something almost human, “we face a grave threat. The ancient texts speak of an evil force awakening—a darkness that hungers for chaos.”
Tamati nodded solemnly. “I’ve felt it too,” he said. “The spirits whisper warnings. The land trembles.”
The Gray Man’s eyes narrowed. “It feeds on fear,” he murmured. “And it grows stronger with every passing day.”
Their robot dog barked, its metallic tail stiffening. It had no words, only instincts, but its loyalty was unwavering.
“We must act,” Aria declared. “But how? Our skills alone won’t be enough.”
Tamati leaned forward. “We need a plan,” he said. “A way to weaken this force before it consumes everything.”
The Gray Man’s misty form shifted. “Perhaps,” he said, “we seek the ancient guardians—the ones who slumber beneath the roots of the kauri trees. They hold forgotten knowledge.”
“But they’re elusive,” Aria pointed out. “And dangerous.”
Tamati’s eyes blazed. “We face danger every day,” he said. “Our ancestors did too. We honour their legacy by protecting this land.”
And so, under the dappled sunlight, they forged their pact. Aria would calculate probabilities, Tamati would fight, The Gray Man would guide, their robot dog would sniff out hidden trails, and the robot would be their guardian. Together, they would unravel the mystery, confront the evil force, and restore balance to Aotearoa.
As they rose from their leaf-strewn seats, the forest seemed to hold its breath. The wind whispered secrets, and the kauri trees leaned closer. The adventure awaited—a collision of technology, tradition, and magic.
And so, with determination burning in their hearts, they stepped into the shadows, ready to face the unknown. For in Aotearoa, where the land breathed and the spirits danced, heroes were born from unlikely alliances.
However, before they begin, one problem needed addressing. The robot dog. It lacked something—the spark of intuition, the ability to adapt. To truly aid its companions, it needed an upgrade.
The group gathered in a sacred clearing, surrounded by towering kauri trees. Aria knelt beside the Robot Dog, her fingers deftly connecting wires and circuits. Tamati chanted an incantation, invoking the spirits of ancestors. The Robot, ever practical, tightened bolts and recalibrated sensors. And the Grey Man? He simply watched, his gaze piercing the veil of reality.
Together, they infused the Robot Dog with a new consciousness—an artificial intelligence that blended logic with intuition. The Dog’s eyes flickered, and it tilted its head as if pondering existence. It could now analyse terrain, predict danger, and even crack a joke or two.
“Kia ora, little one,” Tamati said, patting the Dog’s metallic head. “You’re part of our whānau now.”
The Robot Dog wagged its tail, circuits humming with newfound purpose. Aria smiled, her silver eyes reflecting the moonlight. “We’re ready,” she declared. “Our adventure awaits.”
And so, under the Southern Cross, this unlikely band set forth—a fusion of technology, tradition, mystery, and loyalty. Their quest? To unravel the ancient riddles of Aotearoa, protect its hidden wonders, and perhaps discover what it truly meant to be alive.
As they stepped into the unknown, the Robot Dog led the way, its AI-enhanced senses guiding them. And somewhere in the shadows, the Grey Man whispered secrets to the wind, for he knew that their journey would change not only Aotearoa but also the very fabric of existence itself.
And so, dear reader, if you ever find yourself wandering the misty forests of Aotearoa, keep an eye out for this peculiar fellowship. They might just be the ones who save us all—whether through code, courage, or ancient magic.
Although this looks like an AI generated image and story, there is much more to it. It is written in the style of a folklore from New Zealand and incorporates information from that country. It originated from a picture used as part of a “Never Ending Story”. A set of images that can be linked by children or adults to tell a tale.
The Robot and the Pixy
The science is designed for children across a wide range of ages.
The “Robot and Pixy” introduce children to robotics and AI. A Pixy is an AI camera that can be used with a robot. For children, the robot can be made using a Lego Ev3 Robotics Kit. This can be programmed using its propriety language, Scratch or Python. I used a Pixy designed to work alongside the Lego Robot. First you need to train it to recognise objects. You can then have the robot respond when it sees an object it has been trained to recognise.
In the Aotearoa story, there is a dog that needs to be upgraded. This again ties into a project for older children. Again we used the Lego EV3 Robotics. First build a robotic dog that responds to stimuli, such as being stroked or fed. The dog is one of the first projects designed by Lego to introduce Python, which is a more complicated language (especially the code used to control the Lego Dog) than Scratch.
Note: The Puppy code and build instructions can be found on the PiBricks site. The code isn’t simple and would be a good exercise for an experienced programmer or just to load and use for those less experienced.
Appendix (A follow on story)
The Legend of Reuben and the Swarm of Robots
In the heart of the Hamilton woodlands, nestled in a hidden cottage, lived a young boy named Reuben. He was no ordinary child; he possessed a special gift. Reuben could build swarms of tiny robots, each one a marvel of ingenuity and creativity. He lived with his parents and his brother, Elliot, who shared his passion for invention.
One day, strange things began to happen in the forest. A giant spider, as dark as the night and as swift as the wind, emerged from the depths of the woods. It chased Reuben’s cousins, but they were quick and managed to escape its clutches. The forest whispered of an approaching darkness, a shadow that threatened to engulf their peaceful home.
Reuben knew that his skills were needed. He decided to build a swarm of tiny robots to fight these strange creatures and defeat the darkness. He gathered simple parts that his brother and cousins could use: Microbits to serve as the brains, simple servos to help the robots move, and Neopixels to communicate with humans. Using the Scratch language, they would draw images and animations to control the swarm.
His parents, wise and skilled, worked on building the super brain, a Nano with Machine Learning capabilities. This super brain would guide the swarm, making it smarter and more effective in their battle against the darkness.
As Reuben and his family worked tirelessly, the forest grew quieter, as if holding its breath. The giant spider lurked at the edge of the woods, waiting for the right moment to strike. But Reuben was determined. He programmed the robots with care, ensuring they could work together seamlessly.
The Call of Tāne Mahuta
In the ancient times, Tāne Mahuta, the god of the forest, watched over all living things. He saw the darkness spreading and knew that the balance of the natural world was at risk. Tāne Mahuta whispered to the trees, and the message reached the Grey Man on the far side of New Zealand. The Grey Man, a guardian of ancient wisdom, sent a message to Reuben, offering his support.
The night came when the darkness finally descended upon the Hamilton woodlands. The giant spider led an army of shadowy creatures, their eyes glowing with malevolence. But Reuben and his swarm were ready. The tiny robots, guided by the super brain, moved with precision and grace. Their Neopixels glowed brightly, communicating their intentions to the humans.
The Power of Māui
As the battle raged, Reuben remembered the tales of Māui, the legendary demigod known for his cleverness and bravery. Inspired by Māui’s feats, Reuben used his ingenuity to outsmart the creatures. The robots worked together, outmanoeuvring the darkness with their coordinated movements. The Scratch animations brought the robots to life, making them agile and unpredictable.
The giant spider, confused and overwhelmed, retreated back into the forest. With the help of the Grey Man and his friends, the darkness was pushed back. The forest sighed in relief, and the stars shone brightly once more. Reuben and his family had saved their home, their ingenuity and teamwork proving stronger than any shadow.
The Blessing of Papatūānuku
As dawn broke, Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, blessed the land with her nurturing presence. The forest flourished, and the creatures of the woods returned to their peaceful ways. Reuben and his family were hailed as heroes, their story becoming a new legend among the people.
From that day on, the legend of Reuben and the swarm of light was told throughout the land. It was a story of courage, creativity, and the power of working together to overcome even the darkest of threats.
This story was written for Ruben, who wants to build a robot.
Why a swarm and not a single robot.
Ruben is quite young to be building robots and is likely to lose interest very quickly in anything that he and his father can build using cheap materials. However, Microbits can be great fun, especially if you have two or more. They can send messages to each other, so they are ideal for use in the classroom. I use them for simple robotics, as environmental monitors and for producing artwork (you will find details on this site). All primary schools in the UK were given Microbits, when they were first introduced and a second batch has recently been sent out. The Arduino Nano, used to create the Super Brain is also covered on this site, to create Rai’s magic wand using machine learning.
As Reuben is quite young I chosen Microbits as we can do all sorts of things. Creating games, clever radios to send messages to his bother, make and play music. The list is endless!!
I’ve chosen Kitronik’s robot kit for building a robot. This is an older version we used at our Code Club. You can also see an environmental monitor, which is ideal for primary school children. However the robot and separate Microbit can provide endless possibilities. Add a Scratch program and you can create art and science projects. We have science kits for making giant spiders and paper making kits to include in projects. At the front is the Super Brain, which is an Arduino Machine Learning kit.
Southport Innovation Centre 