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L2Bot is an affordable educational robotics platform. The first L2Bot was shipped out of Michigan to Texas. |
The 3rd Robotics Exploration Day was held on Feb. 16, 2007 from 9am till 1pm. 27 students with a Computer Science Teacher from Romeo Engineering Tech Center (RETC) came to LTU campus by their school bus. Completely re-designed and re-engineered fifteen L2Bot was introduced and used for the hands-on workshop. After installation of Java software and tools, students learned how to program L2Bot with one webcam in Java. They were able to program the L2Bots to move, detect the white wall, and follow a dashed line.
Please go to www.robofest.net/l2bot to see pictures of the workshop and L2Bot production as well as other information about L2Bot such as video clips.
First of all, I would like to thank Brace Stout, MSCS student and President of StoutWare Engineering, volunteered to design the new serial motor controller board and re-engineer the design and chassis of the L2Bot professionally. Without his engineering expertise, creative ideas, many many hours, and dedication, this new L2Bot platform was not possible period
Without the budget support, this project might not be realized. The following people made this fantastic hands-on opportunity for innovative education possible.
David Bindschadler, MCS Chair, provided initial expense to purchase new motor controller boards (unassembled).
Lisa Kujawa, Assistant Provost, graciously helped me find extra expenses to build robots.
The assembly of the robots took more than 3 weeks.
Lisa Anneberg, Associate Professor of ECE, helped me coordinate the assembly of the motor controllers. John Boyse, Chair of ECE Department, asked EE lab assistants to assemble 20 boards. Martha Thompson managed this task perfectly. All 20 boards passed the functionality and reliability tests.
I should not forget the following people who gave me valuable assistance in various ways.
Lori Birman, Robotics Coordinator, processed the in-kind donation to Robofest from StoutWare Engineering.
Robofest Student Assistants, Keith Bozin (also Physics Lab Adjunct Professor), Emily Trudell, Joe Long, and Anthony Mitchell helped assembly/testing of some parts for the L2Bots.
Charlene Lilla, Director of Helpdesk and Ammar Abdulahad, helpdesk triage provided very flexible and prompt service to provide 15 laptops with a serial port.
George Charbeneau, Woodshop Manager and Lee Kesh, Fabrication Lab Manager, provided us with all the tools and services we needed.
Jane Rohrback, Director of Admissions, asked me to start Robotics Exploration Day 3 years ago. Her initiative was Lauren Long, Admissions Office, coordinated the workshop by inviting the school. Her two student assistants helped the setup of the classroom, such as power cords and extension cords.
I should not forget to thank Aleta Mack, MCS Dept Administrative Assistant. She has been processing mountains of receipts and I have around 15 receipts for L2Bot parts to process…
Brace, Keith, and I cannot forget the joy of a new creation on Feb. 16 around 2 am in the morning in the CW21 robotics lab. The first assembled L2Bot 2007 edition as show below was tested successfully and perfectly.
Respectfully,
CJ Chung
Robofest registration has begun since Jan 8th.
MCS Professors' offices have been moved this semester. Please check with the new room numbers below.
Dr. William C. Arlinghaus - S121A
Dr. Christopher Cartwright - S121C
Dr. CJ Chung - S116D
Prof. Ruth G. Favro - S121E
Prof. Sonia Henckel - S121B
Prof. Michael Merscher - S123A
Prof. James Nanny - S121D
Dr. Guang-Chong Zhu - S121F
Robofest Coordinator Lori Birman's office is moved to M219
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