DIY RoboticsOverview of current do-it-yourself

robotics projects at Howest Industrial Design Center.

Cesar VandeveldeHowest IDC

cesar.vandevelde@howest.be

Stigmergic Ant

Why?!

Project Mechatronics Product Design Tool to showcase prototyping techniques which Howest’s protolab offers. Tool to show students that engineering does not have to be boring!

Why an ant?! The way ants self-organize is resembles Howest IDC’s prototyping philosophy. Stigmergic prototyping: discovering new solutions by leaving trails (prototypes). Stigmergy is reflected in the user interaction with the product

Prototyping Software, hardware and electronics were developed simultaneously. Iterative prototyping methodology Iterative and rapid prototyping approach allowed us to find problems early

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

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

Ono, a huggable robot

Social robotsRight 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 Can’t be used for large scale experiments

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.

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

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: “It’s almost like a box of legos” “It looks very complex, but it really isn’t that hard!”

Control & programming

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

EduBots

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” “Doesn’t stimulate creativity” “It isn’t a profession for women” ...

Fixing the problem We’re going to stimulate interest in STEM-topics in kids aged 10 to 14 years. We’re going to do this by using a “learn by doing” approach. We’re going to use robotics kits as a method.

Why robotics? Because robotics has so many links to different technical disciplines!

How? There’s 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

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.

Handling the complexity

Developing EduBots is big challenge, how to handle the complexity? We’re working together with:

UGent – Department of Education VUB – Robotics and Multibody Mechanics Howest – IDC, Elit, bachelor secondary education Dwengo, Dwengo Blocks ...

Websitehttp://io.workspace.howest.be/edubots/