Case Study: CBBC Survey

Today I came across an interesting survey conducted by CBBC that questioned a number of children regarding technology that they think would be implemented in schools in 15 years time. Many children believe that robots will be serving their dinners and eye scans will replace registers.

This survey illustrates that children are embracing technology in the educational environment and the concept of a teaching assistant is feasible.

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Case Study: DaimlerChrysler's Robotic Production Assistants

DaimlerChrysler's have developed a number of autonomous forklift trucks that can navigate freely around an industrial environment. The key feature of the forklifts is that they operate via laser scanning sensors that enable the forklifts to detect objects. This technology has been successfully applied by DaimlerChrysler in a industrial environment, hence, movement and health/safety issues can be resolved by implementing this technology in the teaching assistant.

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Case Study: Waseda Talker No.6

Speech is a very important factor taking into account the environment, the teaching
assistant must be able to express itself in a clear and appropriate manner. The language used must be simplified in order for the children to understand what the teaching assistant is saying. There are a number of robots that offer this functionality, for example, the Waseda Talker No.6 consists of lungs, vocal cords, a tongue, lips and other components to offer speech. The robot can adjust is pitch taking into account the situation, for example, can whisper and shout.

This technology can be incorporated into the teaching assistant to deliver the speech
functionality.



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Case Study: HRP-2

Hearing is another important factor for the teaching assistant, which is further complicated taking into account children voices and possibly a noisy environment.

Research has found a Japanese robot called HRP-2 that can understand human speech using a number of microphones placed in the robots head. Furthermore, sophisticated speech recognition software is implemented to offer a high degree of functionality.

This robot demonstrates that the technology for advanced speech recognition is to some degree developed.


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Case Study: AUC Robot Camera Head

After research into current robots sensors and camera technology a article was found discussing the AUC robot camera head. Eye movements can be performed at 100 degrees a second with its neck being able to move at 100 degrees a second. In terms of technology this robot is created from standard components, hence, the use of advanced technology can assist in reducing the size of the eyes resulting in the camera being more suitable for the teaching assistant. The speed of movement is a key factor taking into account the environment the teaching assistant will operate in.


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Case Study: NASA: Touch Sensor for Robots

Whilst researching into sensor technology the NASA robot hands project was discovered. A robot hand has been developed by NASA which is able to derive information about objects it has grasped, for example, its shape.

This technology emphasizes that the teaching assistant could have very sensitive touch capabilities which are required in this environment.

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Case Study: Repliee Q1Expo

After research into humanoids Repliee Q1Expo was disocerve, Repliee Q1Expois a female android created by Japanese scientists and is the most human looking android ever to be created. Repliee Q1Expo has flexible silicone for skin and a number of sensors and motors to allow it to turn and react in a human like manner.

This android illustrates that the appearance of a human can be replicated to some degree via a mixture of sensors and silicon skin.



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Case Study: MIT Kismet

I found an interesting article from MIT which outlined a facial expressions robotic project. The project involved the development of Kismet, Kismet is able to replicate many of the expressions humans can, for example, express joy.

This can be incorporated into the teaching assistant as facial expressions is an important
element.

Surprise Expression

Joy Expression

Calm Expression

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