DIY Robotics aOG MIT 26-10-2012
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The document provides an overview of several current DIY robotics projects at the Howest Industrial Design Center. It summarizes the Stigmergic Ant project, which aimed to showcase prototyping techniques through an interactive robotic ant. It also discusses the Ono huggable robot project, which seeks to create an affordable and customizable social robot for research through open source design. Finally, it outlines plans for the EduBots project to develop an accessible robotics kit for stimulating student interest in STEM fields from ages 10 to 14 through hands-on learning.
DIY Robotics aOG MIT 26-10-2012
- 1. DIY Robotics Overview of current do-it-yourself robotics projects at Howest Industrial Design Center. Cesar Vandevelde Howest IDC cesar.vandevelde@howest. be
- 4. Why?! Project Mechatronics Product Design Tool to showcase prototyping techniques which Howests protolab offers. Tool to show students that engineering does not have to be boring!
- 5. Why an ant?! The way ants self-organize is resembles Howest IDCs prototyping philosophy. Stigmergic prototyping: discovering new solutions by leaving trails (prototypes). Stigmergy is reflected in the user interaction with the product
- 6. Prototyping Software, hardware and electronics were developed simultaneously. Iterative prototyping methodology Iterative and rapid prototyping approach allowed us to find problems early
- 7. Programming Simultaneous rapid prototyping and computer simulations to determine important parameters of the leg design. Inverse kinematics algorithms prototyped on PC Algorithms were then rewritten and optimized for microcontroller: Arduino Mega
- 8. Finished product Iterative approach allowed us to build the final product without any major problems Currently being used during events and faires: Robocup Junior, Prototyping Event, Week van het Ontwerpen, ... Platform is continually being extended and upgraded
- 9. Ono, a huggable robot
- 11. Social robots Right now, primarily used in research: Human-Robot Interaction Artificial Intelligence Robot Assisted Therapy Problem with current robots: Expensive Hard to transport Hard to repair Hard to reproduce Cant be used for large scale experiments
- 12. Solution Open Source: Adaptable to the specific needs of the study. Do It Yourself: Inexpensive, accessible and easily adaptable. Modular: Easy repair, replacement and reuse. Reproducible: Low volume manufacturing techniques & visual assembly instructions. Social: Facial expressions and gaze.
- 13. DIY techniques Extensive use of laser cutting Fast Easy to adapt Accessible Uses open source electronics, such as Arduino Easy to find materials Standard RC motors as actuators Visual Assembly Instructions
- 14. Assembly instructions Modules as kits simple instructions Aimed at less technical-minded people IKEA-effect Gain insight in inner workings by assembling Co-creation What users say: Its almost like a box of legos It looks very complex, but it really isnt that hard!
- 16. Future work Finishing the integration between soft exterior and inner mechanics Finalising all assembly instructions so the project can be released as open source Integration of extra sensors and actuators: Touch sensors in skin Microphone Webcam
- 17. EduBots
- 18. Problem High demand for engineers and other technical professions. Less and less graduating engineers, despite the demand! One of the causes is a bad image: Boring Too theoretical, not hands-on Doesnt stimulate creativity It isnt a profession for women ...
- 19. Fixing the problem Were going to stimulate interest in STEM-topics in kids aged 10 to 14 years. Were going to do this by using a learn by doing approach. Were going to use robotics kits as a method. Why robotics? Because robotics has so many links to different technical disciplines!
- 20. How? Theres a large gap between Lego Mindstorms and Arduino based DIY robots. We intend to fill this gap by making an EduBots robotics kit which is powerful and extendable, but still easy to use and affordable. Open Source & DIY
- 21. Research Design Based Research By developing this tool we want to know: Usability of the EduBots tool for primary user group. Relevance of robotics kits for stimulating interest in STEM. Feasibilty and mechanics of DIY and Open Hardware as a way of spreading robotics kits.
- 22. Handling the complexity Developing EduBots is big challenge, how to handle the complexity? Were working together with: UGent Department of Education VUB Robotics and Multibody Mechanics Howest IDC, Elit, bachelor secondary education Dwengo, Dwengo Blocks ...