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Mission 9 of 16

Robot Navigation & Pathfinding

📋 What it is

Pathfinding is how a robot plans a route from A to B, avoiding obstacles — often using a map and an algorithm.

🗣️ Coach says

To get somewhere, a robot doesn't just wander — it PLANS a path. Using a map (real or built from sensors) and a pathfinding algorithm, it finds an efficient route that dodges obstacles. This is the same problem a GPS solves for your car, scaled to a robot moving through a room.

🧠 Memory hook

Plan a route A→B that dodges obstacles. Same idea as GPS, on a robot.

😂 Giggle

Why did the battery feel powerful?
Because it had all the energy to keep things running!

😲 Whoa!

The pathfinding algorithms robots use (like "A-star") are the SAME ones that power video-game characters finding their way around a map.

✅ Quick check: What is "pathfinding" for a robot?

Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.

🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)

Draw a grid with some "walls" and trace the shortest path from one corner to the opposite — that's pathfinding.

⭐ Do the round to earn your star →
🤸 Brain break: Route-plan: trace a winding path around obstacles on your desk with a finger.