Ice hockey and tennis balls: playing at computer science research with robotics

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates issues involved in establishing an undergraduate research program in robotics. We discuss our motivation for such a program, the challenges involved with various aspects of administration and equipment, and our plans for projects for student research. One project deals with programming a robot to play air hockey and another project involves the collection of tennis balls from a tennis court using a coordinated team of robots. Preliminary results hold promise, and we are optimistic about the future of the program.

REFERENCES

• 1: Theresa Beaubouef , John Mason, Why the high attrition rate for computer science students: some thoughts and observations, ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, v.37 n.2, June 2005 [doi>10.1145/1083431.1083474]
• 2: T. Beaubouef , R. Lucas , J. Howatt, The UNLOCK system: enhancing problem solving skills in CS-1 students, ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, v.33 n.2, June 2001 [doi>10.1145/571922.571953]
• 3: http://msdn.microsoft.com/robotics/andhttp://www.usfirst.org/

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.6 Learning
          Subjects: Connectionism and neural nets
      I.2.9 Robotics
          Subjects: Manipulators; Autonomous vehicles

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation

Keywords:
computer science education, research, robotics