Teaching neural networks using LEGO handy board robots in an artificial intelligence course

ABSTRACT

In this paper we propose a novel method for teaching neural networks with back propagation in an undergraduate Artificial Intelligence course. We use an agent based approach in the course, as outlined in the textbook Artificial Intelligence A Modern Approach by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig [7]. The students build a robot agent whose task is to learn path-following behavior with a neural network. Robot agents are constructed from standard LEGO pieces and use the MIT Handy Board as a controller.

REFERENCES

• 1: Fagin, B.S., Merkle, L.D., and Eggers, T., Teaching Computer Science With Robotics Using Ada/Mindsotrms 2.0.
• 2: Generation5.org, Back-Propagation: CBPNet, http://www.generation5.org/cbpnet.shtml
• 3: Interactive C 4.0, Kiss Institute, Available WWW. http://www.kipr.org/ic/download/
• 4: Deepak Kumar , Lisa Meeden, A robot laboratory for teaching artificial intelligence, Proceedings of the twenty-ninth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, p.341-344, February 26-March 01, 1998, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• 5: Martin, F., The Handy Board. Available WWW. http://www.handyboard.com/
• 6: Thomas M. Mitchell, Machine Learning, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 1997
• 7: Stuart J. Russell , Peter Norvig, Artificial intelligence: a modern approach, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1995
• 8: N. E. Sondak , V. K. Sondak, Neural networks and artificial intelligence, Proceedings of the twentieth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, p.241-245, February 23-24, 1989, Louisville, Kentucky, United States
• 9: Using Interactive C 4.0, Available WWW. http://domanski.cs.csi.cuny.edu/imberman/csc126/startinginteractiveC40.htm

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.6 Learning
          Subjects: Connectionism and neural nets

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      I.2.9 Robotics
          Subjects: Autonomous vehicles

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

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
artificial intelligence, back propagation, handy board, neural networks, robotics