MRI-R2: Acquisition of Robots and Robot Accessories for Interdisciplinary Faculty and Student Research at Fayetteville State University

提案#：09-59958PI(S)：Bhattacharya，Sambit；Almeida，Michael；Czejdo，Bogdan，D.；Montoya，Daniel机构：费耶特维尔州立大学标题：MRI-R2：ACQ。面向跨学科学院和学生研究的机器人和机器人配件项目建议的项目：该项目获得四个研究级机器人平台，以及混合架构中导航、机器人视觉和机器人与人的交互所需的配件，使移动反应式和混合机器人的研究成为可能。它还构成了进行此类研究的机器人实验室的基础。工作涉及以下领域的研究：使用认知地图的空间和时间表示和推理、立体视觉和对象识别、反应行为的快速修改和测试以及人类使用机器人的体验。尽管该机构目前在教学活动中使用教育机器人，但需要一个适合于人与机器人交互研究的机器人平台。目前，佛罗里达州立大学或其他地方大学还没有先进的机器人研究设施。为机器人实验室购买这些设备加强了心理学、数学和计算机科学系之间的跨学科合作。心理学专业的学生受益于学习计算机硬件组件和编程算法，而计算机科学专业的学生则学习和运用认知心理学的概念。佛罗里达州立大学科学大楼内的一个房间目前正在翻新，以进行本提案中描述的研究项目，并储存机器人。PI和协理PI负责在FSU安装机器人。机器人基础中的大多数配件和软件安装将主要由供应商在发货前完成，因此开始使用机器人只需要很少的时间和精力。由于建议书中所述的每个项目将使用一个机器人基地，因此不需要初始分配。该计划还包括一份来自供应商的长期维护合同。广泛的影响：该设备使本科生和研究生能够参与研究活动，有助于培训他们进行先进的科学研究方法和应用开发。这种培训使学生受益于传统上在STEM学科中代表性不足的部分人口，因为FSU是一所为少数族裔服务的机构。佛罗里达州立大学现有的设施足以用于入门编程和基于行为的机器人课程。这一新设备和该大学为支持该项目而承诺的空间使先进的研究和培训成为可能。这些设备支持的活动加强了FSU的研究。新设备将提供给对开展机器人及相关领域研究感兴趣的地区教职员工。

"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)."Proposal #: 09-59958PI(s): Bhattacharya, Sambit; Almeida, Michael; Czejdo, Bogdan, D.; Montoya, DanielInstitution: Fayetteville State University Title: MRI-R2: Acq. of Robots and Robot Accessories for Interdisciplinary Faculty and Student ResearchProject Proposed:This project, acquiring four research grade robot platforms along with accessories required for navigation, robot vision, and robot-human interaction within a hybrid architecture, enables research in mobile reactive and hybrid robots. It also forms the basis of a robotics laboratory for conducting such research.The work addresses research in the following areas: spatial and temporal representation and reasoning using cognitive maps, stereo vision and object recognition, rapid modification and testing for correctness of reactive behaviors, and human experience of embodiment using robots. Although the institution currently utilizes educational robots in teaching activities, a robot platform suitable for human-robot interaction research is needed. Currently, no advanced robotics research facility exists at FSU or other local universities.The acquisition of this equipment for a Robotics Lab strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration between the Departments of Psychology and Mathematics and Computer Science. Students in Psychology benefit from learning about computer hardware components and programming algorithms, while students in Computer Science learn about and work with concepts of cognitive psychology. A room within the science building at FSU is currently being refurbished to conduct the research projects described in this proposal, and store the robots. The PI and a co-PIs are responsible for installation of the robots at FSU. Most accessory and software installation in the robot bases will mainly be done by the vendor before shipping, so very little time and effort will be required to get started using the robots. Since one robot base will be used per project described in the proposal, there is no initial allocation needed. A long term maintenance contract from the vendor is included as part of the proposal.Broader Impacts: The equipment enables research activities involving undergraduate and graduate students, contributing to train them in advanced scientific research methodology and application development. This training benefits students from segments of population who are traditionally underrepresented in the STEM disciplines since FSU is a minority serving institution. The existing facilities at FSU are adequate for introductory programming and behavior based robotics courses. This new equipment and the space committed by the university to support the project enables advanced research and training. The activities supported by the equipment strengthen research at FSU. The new equipment will be available to regional faculty who are interested in conducting research in robotics and related fields.