HW 25: Robot Show and Tell

Alas!  Our class has come down to it's final homework!  Well I couldn't decide what robot to ask you to read and write about for our last day of class, so I decided I would let you choose.

Tonight, I want YOU to go out and find a cool new robot.  I want YOU to write about why the robot you chose could be important for the future.  This is a free write exercise, but your response must be at least 200 words.

To make things easier, why don't you guys use any one of these blogs/websites to find your robot.  Now, just so I've said it, you can't pick to write about any robot we have already done for homework.

Try finding a cool robot of the future from one of these places, or feel free to find your own source:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics
http://www.hizook.com/
http://techland.time.com/category/reviews-features/robotics-reviews-features/
http://phys.org/electronics-news/robotics/
http://www.engadget.com/topics/robots/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/robotics/

Woa, that's a lot of choices...peruse those sites until you find one you really really want to write about, and talk about in class tomorrow.

This is our LAST homework, so make this one represent your BEST writing and ideas!

Good luck!

HW 24: Respond to Should we stop killer Robots?

"UN Expert Calls For Moratorium On 'Killer Robots' "

"Stop producing "killer robots," UN expert warns"

"UN Expert Calls for Halt in Military Robot Development"

These are some of the headlines I found all over the web yesterday.  They UN made an announcement saying that the world really needs to scale back it's use of robots that kill.  Your job this weekend is to read about it, and write about if you agree or disagree.

So here is the article I would like you to read over, from Huffington Post.  You will find three things on that page: the written article, a slideshow of current drones and robots used for lethal and military purposes, and a short video accompanying the article.

This weekend, I want you to write a 200 word response, telling me if you agree or disagree with the UN's statement.

REMEMBER: In our current state of the world, it would create a lot of problems if we 'stopped war' all together.  We can talk about this in class, but for purposes of your response, assume that at some level, we still need military action.  So you must consider this in your response.

About 150 words should be your opinion on this issue, then I would like you to also write 50 words highlighting one of the robots from the slideshow.

Good luck!

HW 23: Robotic Inchworm

The title is what grabbed my attention...'can be printed out' whaaaat??

Check this one out tonight.  I am not asking for a standard response necessarily.  You job tonight is to simply wright 200 word about your impressions of this robot.

Who would use it?  How?  Kids?  Professionals?  Could we use these ideas to replicate other animals?
Those are just some ideas you could write about, really this is one of the most open ended responses.

Your response should be between 150 and 200 words.

HW 22: (Robo)Squirrel!

So this is an interesting one.  We have seen a lot of examples in this class about robots built to achieve certain feats, perhaps ones we can't do with our human-selves.  But tonight, I want you to check out this slightly different use of robotics...to study.



A team of researchers has made a robotic squirrel, specifically one that can 'tail wag' with the specific purpose of studying how rattle snakes interact with their environment.

You can find the article, and collection of videos here.

So tonight, I want you to write about this robot, and what it is used for.  You can use the standard response to guide you through the basics.

I would like you to add in one other thing though.  This is an example of robots being used to study nature, so try and answer this question in your response as well:  How else might we be able to use robots to help us study some aspect of our environment?

Good luck!

HW 21: Robo-Disney

Well as you may or may-not be aware, Disney itself is fairly well known for it's development in robotics, and specifically in the area of movement and animatronics.  For homework tonight, there are two things I want you to check out:

The first, is a project Disney completed a few years ago.  They made President Barak Obama.  (Well, sort of).  Check this video out, how real or not does Obama seem to you?

Then, I want you to check out what Disney is working on currently.  Handing an object to a robot, and vice versa, is turning out to be more difficult than you might have thought.  Well that's what they are trying to perfect down there at Disney.  I want you to check out this short video showing what they are working towards now.

For your response, I want you to focus on your reaction to the robots.  Write at least 150 words about how real (or not) these robot movements seem to you.  If they had a 'skin' would they fool you?  Why or why not.

Oh, and ONE LAST THING
 - Not that you need to understand a lot of it, but I also want you to explore a little bit on Disney's robotics page.  http://www.disneyresearch.com/research-areas/robotics/.  They have a lot of projects going on right now.

Watch/take a look at any one of the other videos/projects on that page.  Add two sentences about what you saw to you response.

Good luck

HW 20: (Insect) Eye See You

So a few weeks ago a team announced they had developed a new type of camera, specifically one that could be used with robots, that is modeled after the eye of an insect.

Yesterday, a totally DIFFERENT team announced they had developed a very similar item.

Tonight I want you to read about both, and compare and contrast the two new camera devices.

Here is the first announcement, from about a week ago.

Here is the more recent announcement, from a day or so ago.

You need to READ both articles CAREFULLY.  (No video for this one sorry!)  For your paragraph response:

• You should include the 'basics' from the standard response
• Be sure to cite the two different teams and give credit for their work
• Compare AND contrast the two camera eyes: how are they similar, how are the different?
• How could this technology be used to improve robotics.

Remember, you are shooting for about a half-a-page response (typed etc), good luck!

HW 19: The Efficient Cheetah Robot

So this is an interesting one.  We have seen several robots that are made to look and act like animals in the real world.  This one is similar in that sense.  However, there is something that makes this one special.

This one is more efficient than most robots we've seen.  This article will tell you all about how it's made, what it uses, and most importantly, how it is able to conserve so much energy.

The article has a video which you should definitely watch.  And afterwards, you can go to the MIT page and check out their video section to see more.

In your paragraph, use the standard response to guide you through your writing.  I also want you to write about at least two ways this robot is saving/conserving energy.  You can even use the diagram (pictured above) to help you with that.

Remember, we are writing in complete-sentence paragraphs.  Re-reading and editing our work before we are done, and holding ourselves to the highest writing standards!

Good luck!

HW 18: The IkeaBot

That isn't its official, name.  Officially, it is the KUKA YouBot, but the KUKA company took it and spec'd it to do a particularly specific task.  I'll let you read and see what it does...

check this news story out, which has an included video which you should watch to get the idea of what it can do.

Extra Question:
How is this robot modified from it's original form to be able to do this task?

As a little extra, go ahead and check out their official website: http://youbot-store.com/.  How much does it cost to buy one of these? Other than that, use the standard response.

Good luck!

HW 17: The Canadarm

Anyone see Star Trek this last weekend?  Maybe, maybe not, but tonight let's take a look at some robotics technology that one day might make space travel like that just a little more possible.

Tonight I want you to check out the Canadarm Robot.

There are two pages I want you to read from the official Canadian Space Agency website.  The first is the history about what how the massive robot got its start.  You should read through that page carefully to get a sense of what time period this was invented, and how it progressed.

Then there are two other (shorter) sections on their page you should read FOR SURE:

• "Uses for Robotic Arm Technology" page, I think you should read some familiar ideas there.
• "The Structure of the Canadarm" page, where you can read about some of the components that make it up.

Using the standard response is fine for tonight.  Make sure it is paragraph format.  As the addition, I would like you to define at least three components that make up the Canadarm; this can go at the end of your paragraph.

Good luck!

HW 16: "Cryo", That Jellyfish robot we saw...

Well we saw it in announcements yesterday, and you asked, so you shall receive another nature-inspired robot.  This one is still a work in progress, and is still being developed by a joint effort by several different universities.

There are several articles and videos around the web.  This one from Time.com seemed to have a lot of great information, and also includes a video for you to watch.

If you have trouble reading through that article (of course make sure you try it first) you can also check this article out from Wired.com.  It has the same video, but the writing is a little easier to understand.

Use the standard response questions.  Since this is still in development I would like you to mention what they have left to do to improve this robot, or what isn't completed about it yet.

Good luck!

HW 15: Well that's just the RoboBees knees

Tonight check out this nifty little milestone we have reached with robotics.  Coming to you from a research team based out of Harvard University, the team has been able to make an insect-sized robot that flies like a real insect would.

I found it pretty cool to read about, and I think the video is definitely worth seeing.

Start with a CBS News article reporting on the achievement.  I think that is the easiest to read, and there is an included video.

Next, I want you to check out their official website at http://robobees.seas.harvard.edu/ where they have some more specific details, and ideas of where this technology might take us.

For those of you really interested, there are a few more recent (and in-depth) articles out there including this one at Phys.org.

A lot of places to see/read about this robot.  Use the standard response to guide your homework paragraph about the RoboBees.  One more thing, in your response, I'd like  you to mention what is different about making such a small robot.

Good luck!

HW 14: Sci-Fi Short Story Essay

Today in class, we picked out each of our own science fiction short stories to read.  Over the next few days,  your job is to read your story and complete a one-two page response about your story and how it involves the three laws of robotics.  In class, you will each also make small 'mini' posters later this week in class.

For tonight, and tomorrow (since we don't have class on Tues) your job is to read your story and start a rough draft on your paper.  We will spend some time in class editing what you come up with on Wednesday.

So you can get started, here are the requirements of your essay:

Purpose: Explain how Asimov's three laws of robotics influenced the story you read.

Requirements:

• 1 to 2 pages, 12 pt Times New Roman font, double spaced
• You should discuss main characters, major plot points, and other aspects as others may not have read your story ahead of time.
• About half of your essay can be dedicated to discussing the story
• The other half should discuss the Three Laws of Robotics.  You may ask rhetorical 'what if' questions, or be creative about other ways the plot could have gone.

Although there are requirements for the paper, I am asking you to be creative in your response.  I am HAPPY to hear ideas you have for your essay, if you would like to explore a different direction. 

Most importantly, your essay should reflect your views about the story, and not just tell me what happened.

On Wednesday, you need to have printed a copy of your rough draft by the start of class.

Good luck!

HW 13: Turtle Bot (not a ninja turtle though)

So we've seen a lot of examples of robots that have been inspired by humans (we call them humanoid).  It's also not too uncommon for us to see robots that have been inspired by other animals in nature, just as this one.

So for this weekend, check out this Amphibious Robots Inspired By Baby Sea Turtles.  There is a video on the site

So the extra requirement for this homework?  Well I told you it would happen: starting today, all of your homework must be written in complete sentence, paragraph format.


You are all great writers, so its important to practice and stay on your game.  Good luck!

Why the picture of the ninja turtles then?  Well, because they are totally radical!

HW 12: Willow Garage’s PR2

Personal Robot?  I'll give YOU a personal robot!

Well no not really, because I don't have that much cash.  No really, this robot can be purchased, but the price comes in right now somewhere around $250,000.00 to $500,000.00 (yea, that's half a million dollars for ONE).

Maybe we can't afford it yet, but at least we can learn about it.

First, I want you to read this New York Times article about the PR2 and the company, Willow Garage.

Once you've read up, the cooler part of homework will be to check out Willow Garage's product overview page for the PR2.  The is a lot of interesting information for you to explore on your own, so click around for a while.  You definitely should watch some of the videos at the bottom of that page, especially the Overview Video. 

When you write about this video, I will be looking for all the usual information.  Write about one cool thing you found on the PR2 website.

Good luck!

HW 11: Shakey the Robot

So this is one we read about in class today, a pretty historical landmark in robotics history.  It was a huge step in the direction of AI (which you should know what it stands for!=).

So there is a lot online about this robot, because it is so famous.  Why don't you start over here, at the company who created Shakey, SRI.  They have a short timeline.

Now to see it in action?  This is the cooler part of this homework.  On that webpage there is a link on the right to a 24 minute video, which is the original test demo that much of the world saw!  You can also see it directly on YouTube here.  I want you to watch for at least 10 minutes, although the best students will check out the entire video.  Use the standard response, but also I would like you write about what are some of the specific commands that Shakey can understand?

Somewhere in there you should also define in your paragraph the term "Artificial Intelligence."  Good luck!

HW 10: The "Dustbot" here to do what you don't want to...

So not every robotic innovation is coming out of the US or Japan, in fact there are places all over the world that are leading the forefront in robotics applications.  This one hails from Pisa, Italy (yes the same city with the famous tower!), and is here to do a  job that you don't want to!

First, check out this article to read on Phys.org.  It will introduce you to some important background

Here is a shorter article, but one that includes a video in English for you to watch.  Check it out after you read the main article.

You can go on youtube and check out some other Dustbot videos, but I warn you that many of them are in Italian for obvious reasons, but are worth the images.

Use the standard response, plus include the answer to this questions somewhere: how long do you think it will be until we see a robot like this on our own streets here in Washington DC, and why?

Good luck all!

HW 9: ASIMO Redux

So for tonight, you are going to look at one of the more famous humanoid robots ever made.  So, ASIMO was made by Honda, and this is the second version of the robot.  (The word in the title 'redux' means 'redo' btw.)  You are going to use two difference sources to read from:

First, use this article from Engadget.  It's a nice introduction, includes a video.

Next, read over this more in-depth article from the tech site Spectrum.  It has more specifics about the robot, and another video.

You are going to use the standard response, with one addition: also discuss how this new version of ASIMO is improved over the original version.

Remember, we are all aiming to improve our writing, so I want to start seeing those responses in paragraph format.  Good luck!

HW 8: GRASP Nano(ish) Quadcopters

Just for the record, these are NOT "nanobots" even though they are quite small.  But, because you asked, you shall receive, so here we go.

So I want you to check out these robots from a few places.  Remember the best answers will be ones that include information from other links/pages/places that YOU are able to find on your own.  I will always get you started with a couple links:

This is going to be your main source of information, brought to you by Phys.org.  There is an included video there as well.

So I want you to use the standard response to the right, but with one interesting addition:
Go to the GRASP Project page, and look over what else they are working on.  Write a few sentences about something else GRASP is currently doing.  That's it, good luck everyone!

HW 7: Electro and Sparko (here boy!)

We talked about him recently, this amazing (and quite unhealthy!) robot, one of the earliest humanoid robots, that debuted at the Worlds Fair in 1939.

So for reading about the two robots, check out this webpage where the describe him (or should I be saying 'it'?)


Then check out This youtube clip is actually from a movie also from 1939.  Very cool to see him move around, and also see how others reacted to such an amazing piece of technology (at the time).

Use the standard response, but mention what the two 'photocells' in Electro did.  You might need to carefully study the diagram to find the answer... be sure to talk about BOTH robots in your responses!

HW 6: The "Choset" Snake Robot

Eye see you!

A man named Prof. Howie Choset has been working with a team at The Carnegie Mellon Institute on a particular robot that at least to me, looks quite cool/interesting.  He has developed his self named "Choset" robot, that takes on inspiration from a a particular animal in nature.

  First, read this article from Bloomberg (a popular news source) so you can get some background on the robot.  Second, check out this video where you can see this robot in action.

Use the standard Robot Summary questions to guide your response.  Remember, this session we are all working toward being able to answer the questions in a complete and well written paragraph.  (Maybe tonight everyone can give this a shot before I do something crazy like make it mandatory =).

HW 5: "I, Robot: Runaround" -- The ORIGINAL Three Laws!

In class today, we read the start of the ever-so-famous original "I, Robot" series.  It started with a very interesting "Introduction" and the first story "Robbie".  However the next story "Runaround" is maybe the most famous, because THAT is where he explicitly writes down his Three Laws of Robotics.

This weekend, (yes weekend homework in this class sometimes), your assignment is to read "Runaround", and write a little something about it.  I am giving you a hard copy of Runaround to read.  Please keep it nice, we will return it to our folder on Monday.

Here is what you need to do for this assignment:
  - Character List - write a list of characters who show up in this story, and just a few words about who each one is
  - Plot Summary - in 100 words or so, summarize what happens in the story.
  - Reflection on the Three Laws - Identify (means say what it is) each of the Three Laws of Robotics.  Then write 100 words on what YOU think they mean, if they are important, and how they affect the robot(s) in the story.

Enjoy this story, I think it's quite AWESOME!

HW 4: Noodle Robot

Mmmmmm...who's hungry?

This is a current news story, I found it quite interesting.  Apparently, someone invented a robot that can make noodles.  Just in case you're not aware, making the thin noodles we eat is considered one of those very 'skilled' techniques that chefs/cooks practice for years before being able to do it.

Watch this video (above) of a man making them, by the last 20 seconds I think you can see how tough it is to do.

Now I want you to read about this new robot.  There is a video at the end you should also check out.  Use the standard response, but also, I want you to think/write about how you think this might affect the 'workforce' of the world if they became really popular.

HW 3: The Wabot

Tonight, I want you to read about a pretty important robot in the history of robotics.  The Wabot (followed later by the Wabot-2) was the first humanoid robot.  For reading, I found two links:

The first is the page from Waseda Univerity, the college in Japan that invented Wabot.

The second link I want you to read is actually from a synthesizer (music keyboard) website.  Read what they mention about it, but there is also a video on this page you should check out.

You can write about both models of the robot for homework tonight.  Use the standard sheet (posted on the right) to guide your writing.  To remind  you, I prefer you write in paragraph format, a much more mature form of writing.

One more (extra thing), do some searching, but in your response somewhere also define the term 'humanoid robot'.  I would like to talk with you guys in class what it means tomorrow.

HW2: Robot Profile on the "Wave Glider"

Three links to check out for  HW tonight:
First, the link from about 1.5 years ago where they briefly discuss the project as it starts:

Then, this is the short article about the record being broken.  Be sure to watch the short video explaining the accomplishment.


EXTRA CONTENT: For a really cool talk with the creator, at the end of that video look in t
he 'related videos'  the one with this title is totally worth checking out:
Bill Vass on the endless possibilities of Wave Gliders


On the right side of the screen, you will see a little list toward the top of the page, the first link there is the "Standard Robot Profile HW Sheet."  Most of the time you can use this to guide you about what to write about.  From time to time I might also add an 'extra' question, which I will include in the main post.

HW 1: Three Fictional Robots

Your assignment is to write about your own and two others' favorite robots from fiction.  It could be a robot from a story you/they once read, a movie, a TV show, a comic book...anywhere in fiction!

For each robot, write 100 words about what (or who?!) the robot is, who made it (in their fictional world) what it was supposed to do, good/bad robot...you get the idea.  Make sure you talk about why they remember that robot.  You can pick your own favorite for one of them, one of the other two must come from a parent or someone in an older generation like an older cousin or neighbor.  The third can be a friend or anyone else you choose.

Again, for each robot, you need to write 100 words (each!).  Be descriptive, give me the cool stuff, I want to know why these are the favorites!




You'll soon find that robots seem to have 'personality' quite a bit in fiction...one of the questions we will answer in this course, is do they in real life too?

(Oh and that's Data, from Star Trek...he's my pick=)

Welcome to Robotics!

Welcome to Robotics class!  I know we have a lot ahead of us, a lot of cool activities to do, stories to share, and discussions to have in the session ahead of us!

This will be the place to come to check for homework each night.  One thing you should know: is that homework will be posted for that night by 3:30 pm each day, useful for those of you using study hall to get things done.

About homework...one thing that I am making a point of emphasis, is that you need to hold your homework in the highest of regard in terms of quality.  I will be grading you on your writing about the various robots you are asked to look at for homework, and not just to 'find answers' to some easy questions.

When in doubt, the answers to your homework should be very readable, free of punctuation and spelling errors, and be a 'cohesive body of information'.  You can always answer the homework in a well written paragraph as an option instead of separate answers.

I would be happy if everyone wanted to subscribe to this blog, and if there are any cool ideas you guys would like to see me implement here...I will be building the blog up as we go through the course, just let me know.

Welcome, and get ready to enjoy a taste of the exciting world of Robotics!