2. Introduction Introduction of Robotics at USP
Importance to the South Pacific
Robotics & Automation Projects at USP
Implications of projects on region
Robotics & Automation Group
Current Project
Collaboration prospects
Constrain Factors
Robotic Frontiers Internationally
Summary 1

3. Introduction of Robotics at USP
2001 – Reps from ABU informed USP about the Asia Pacific Robot Contest
Department of Engineering has since represented USP to Japan and Thailand 2

4. Automation
Joint project of the two streams of the Department of Engineering with one researcher from industry
CNC Based Drilling Machine
Involved final year and PG students
Funded by University Research Committee 3

5. Establish a stronger technical base
Importance to Region
Establish a stronger technical base
Save export dollars on purchase of such equipment
Provide employment
Locally trained designers and maintenance personnel
Allows equipment to be tailor made 4

6. Robotic & Automation Projects
DEVELOPMENT CYCLE 5

7. Organized by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
ROBOCON
Organized by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
It is an intellectual challenging event in which future engineers can realize the importance of thinking originally and making their own machines without being swayed by existing common knowledge. 6

8. PacSea Represented USP in Robocon, Japan in 2002
1st Robot developed from Scratch in USP
Best Artistic Design Award
Scored the first points of the tournament
Mono-directional, no turns
Controlled using PIC microcontroller 7

9. PacSea Wave Represented USP in Robocon Thailand, 2003
Machine with sensors and does basic line detection
Motion speed control, bi-directional
Machine able to change structural dimensions
Currently the fastest robot 8

10. Will represent USP in Robocon Korea, 2004 Still under construction
PacSea Surge
Will represent USP in Robocon Korea, 2004
Still under construction
Total cost of project $16,000 (projected)
Much more sophisticated mechanisms and electronics
USP sponsorship for $10,000. 9

11. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Drilling Machine
Automation Project
EN300 / EN400 Research Project
Involved both streams of department with one researcher from industry
Fully operational in 2002
Also incorporates Artificial Intelligence (Neural Networks)
0.01cm accuracy for automated drilling process
Currently used for Masters research in area of Virtual Enterprise 10

12. ROVER Roaming Vehicle for Entity Relocation
Designed for use in manufacturing facilities
Follows optical guide path to maneuver
Loads up to 25kg
Obstacle avoiding capabilities
Controlled using PIC microcontroller 11

13. Gripper in front to hold workpiece
Kinetic Manipulator
Pick and Place Robot
Gripper in front to hold workpiece
Eventually lift completed workpiece from the CNC Drill Machine and load on to ROVER
Research On-going. 12

14. Robotic Platform for Postgraduate Research in Smart Device
EN400 Project
Bi-directional
Obstacle avoidance capabilities
Round- maneuverable
Uses the PIC microcontroller
Ongoing research project in the field of Distributed Processing for Embedded System. 13

15. Architecture of Robotic Projects
Mechanical
Structure, Motion and tasks (loading/gripping)
Electronics
Control, sensor and actuator interfaces
Software
Control algorithm (link between sensors and actuators) and path plans 14

16. Software Incorporates AI AI ----- Decision Science
Optimizing
Path Planning
AI Decision Science
Where Optimizing provides best solutions
Path planning helps execute best solutions
Various other paradigms can be implemented depending on the task at hand. 15

17. Hardware Implementation
Implemented using 2 methods
Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) mode
Based on IEEE1284 Protocol, developed in-house, implemented on the CNC Drilling Machine
PIC Microcontroller
Isolated from PC, Independent memory and CPU, size of a MARS chocolate bar 16

18. Implications
Capacity building to develop and sustain robotic & automated equipment locally
Trend
2001; 1 final year project
2002; 4 final year projects
2003; 10 final year projects
2003; 1 MSc research in Robotics 17

19. Robotics & Automation Group
Formed in November 2003 to formalise the focus of robotics research activities.
Group is also responsible for organising and administrating the Robocon team and project every year.
Formalize & control the technology development in key areas
Intention is to become the Center for Precision Technology for the industry & the region. 18

20. Collaboration Prospect
Current Project
Collaboration Prospect 19

21. Uninformed industry about local automation activity & expertise.
Constrains
Financial
Limits the number of projects that can be taken up, thereby limiting progress
Uninformed industry about local automation activity & expertise. 20

22. Robotics Frontiers Internationally
Involvement of Industry and corporate organizations
Sony
Honda (Asimo)
Fujitsu
UC Berkley (exoskeleton)
DARPA’s Unmanned Vehicle Program 21

23. Sony’s Entertainment Robot – 2002 "SDR-4X" biped-walking robot
Equipped with CCD camera
Real-time Integrated Adaptive Control System
Face Recognition (Image processing & AI)
64 bit RISC processor (x2)
64MB DRAM (x2)
16MB Memory Stick
Sony’s Entertainment Robot – "SDR-4X" biped-walking robot 22

24. Honda’s Asimo humanoid robot – 2000
Capable of climbing stairs
Voice recognition
Can see & respond to actions
52kg weight
0.5kg grasp force at fingers
Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility
Honda’s Asimo humanoid robot – 2000 23

25. Fujitsu Miniature Humanoid Robot, HOAP-1
Weighs 6kg
Height 48cm
OS: RT Linux
Interface USB 1.0
Developed for sale to research labs
Fujitsu Miniature Humanoid Robot, HOAP-1 24

26. UC Berkeley – Exoskeleton
Developed by UC Berkeley’s Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory
Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
3 years to complete
Supports 70 pound knapsack weight
Intended for military applications
** Other DARPA robotics projects
This week DARPA organized a competition with prize money of $1m
Unmanned autonomous vehicle race participated by universities in USA
UC Berkeley – Exoskeleton 25

27. Since introduced to Robotics 3 years ago,
Summary
Since introduced to Robotics 3 years ago,
13 local people (excluding PG’s) have experience in Robotics
Through ROBOCON, recognized internationally as active in Robotics
4 Journals and Conference proceedings
More under review
Aim is always to do better. 26

28. University Research Committee SPAS USP Planning Office USP Bursary
Acknowledgements
University Research Committee
SPAS
USP Planning Office
USP Bursary
Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union
Department of Engineering 27