A problem that becomes increasingly obvious over time derives from purchasing and working with large scale, industrial type of manipulators. Primarily affected are higher level educational institutions, where manipulators are likely to be exposed to student projects that demand diversity in control strategies and various controlling software and…

Describes and outlines the general syllabus of a philosophy course entitled, "Minds and Robots." Lists the assigned readings and explains the issues addressed in the 14-week course. Essay questions that are used for the mid-term and final exams are also included. (ML)

Elements of the development of a robotics and automation laboratory are discussed. These include the benefits of upgrading current staff, ways to achieve this staff development, formation of a robotics factory automation committee, topics to be taught with a robot, elements of a laboratory, laboratory funding, and design safety. (CT)

Describes the features of TOPO, HERO, RB5X, and Tasman Turtle, personal robots used in elementary and secondary schools and colleges to introduce concepts of artificial intelligence, advanced high school and college computer science, and elementary level programming. Mechanical arms are also briefly mentioned. (MBR)

Discusses the development of industrial robotics training materials, considering the need for such materials, preliminary curriculum design, the Piagetian approach followed, and the uses of computer assisted instruction. A list of robotics curriculum courses (with content and audience indicated) is included. (JN)

Describes activities that present concepts and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for elementary and secondary school students. The use of Logo with elementary students is discussed; appropriate software is described; programing activities using Logo, BASIC, and Prolog are examined; and the field of robotics is discussed. (four…

Discusses the use of robotics with children with severe disabilities. Spotlights a toddler with developmental delays and quadriplegic athetoid cerebral palsy who is able to use a robotic arm and computer control systems to reach and manipulate objects. Provides guidelines for selecting and using assistive robotics. (CR)

This study examines teacher-student interactions and selected student gender differences with volunteer boys and recruited girls in a technology class. The participants were teachers and triads of girls and boys in single-gender sections of a technology course where the students built, designed features for, and programmed Lego robots. We analyzed…

This work proposes an approach to remote learning of robotic cells based on internet and simulation tools. The proposed approach, which integrates remote-learning and tele-operation into a generic scheme, is designed to enable students and developers to set-up and manipulate a robotic cell remotely. Its implementation is based on a dedicated…

Intended for learners with a basic familiarity with the Logo programming language, this manual is designed to introduce them to artificial intelligence and enhance their programming capabilities. Nine chapters discuss the following features of Logo: (1) MAZE.MASTER, a look at robots and how sensors make machines aware of their environment; (2)…

Robots are becoming increasingly common in American industry. By l990, they will revolutionize the way industry functions, replacing hundreds of workers and doing hot, dirty jobs better and more quickly than the workers could have done them. Robotics should be taught in high school industrial arts programs as a major curriculum component. The…

Discusses artificial intelligence, robotics, natural language processing, and expert or knowledge-based systems research; examines two large expert systems, MYCIN and XCON; and reviews the resources required to build large expert systems and affordable smaller systems (intelligent job aids) for training. Expert system vendors and products are…

Sixth graders built working "robots" (or grasping bars) for remote control use during a unit on simple mechanics. Steps for making a robot are presented, including: cutting the wood, drilling and nailing, assembling the jaws, and making them work. The "jaws," used to pick up objects, illustrate principles of levers. (DH)

Using welding as an example, this article describes how microelectronic devices, in conjunction with human supervision, help alleviate the problems of decreasing levels of productivity. (LRA)

Describes Iowa State's Exploration Program, a one-week course for gifted/talented youth, which includes videotapes, experiments, computer programing, debugging, and a final project. Provides objectives, material and equipment needs, and a student quiz. (SK)