Interfacing the Public and Technology: A Web Controlled Mobile Robot Erin J. Harris R. Andrew Lamonica Jerry B. Weinberg
Motivation Provide opportunities for the public to interact with current robot technology Engage K-12 students and the general public with positive and realistic images of technology Provide an educational resource for K-12 students and teachers Foster positive attitudes towards science and technology
Designing with Kids Contextual Interviews 4 groups of varying ages (K-12) Card Sorting High school students Paper Prototyping 3 rd grade students
Demonstration (Sort Of…)
How the Robot Works: K-6 Target Audience
K-6 Target Audience
Linked to Material for 6 & Up Audience
How the Robot Works: 6 & Up Target Audience
Watch Option
Marvin Watching Taz at Midnight
Control Option
“How old is Taz?” Middle and primary school presentations Remote lecture with Florida 6 th graders
On-site Interactions Open house events “Webcasts” of other robotic events and competitions Administration loves the PR Numerous news articles Positive unsolicited public feedback Helps us get funding for other stuff
Interesting Hits
3 Layer Implementation Java Control Applet User’s Computer(s) Middle Man Web Server Remote Control Server Robot’s Onboard PC Movement requests Camera feed Completion information Safe commands Completion information User information Movement requests Pioneer 2 Operating System (P2OS) Robot’s Microcomputer
The Grid A digital map of the building The map is created by moving the robot around the building The grid points are drawn on the map using our software Each point is a location Taz is permitted to occupy Taz can only move between points connected by an edge
Future Work Orientation Give the users a sense of where “they” are when they gain control Camera Control Provide pan-tilt options to the users Visible AI Provide K-12 students a more direct understanding of how Taz navigates and localizes Multiple levels of interaction Add the option of sending Taz to a certain point or some kind of “trip” planning