Table Of ContentRobotics REU in Undergraduate Engineering Research
Dr. Wei (Vivien) Shi , Dr. Devin Berg , Dr. Cheng Liu , Dr. Cayte Anderson
Department of Engineering and Technology, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Another team applied the iRobot Create 2
Abstract Research Activities
development platform to implement wireless
technology with robotics to assist the blind. The
The Robotics REU program funded by National The REU program provides students opportunity
Bluetooth technology was used to communicate
Science Foundation (NSF) brings together a to gain valuable research training in (1) robotics
between the robot and an android smartphone
dynamic and creative group of undergraduates and control system design, (2) assistive
application.
from UW-Stout and regional universities to create technology and vocational rehabilitation, for
an interdisciplinary research site at UW-Stout. helping people with injuries and disabilities find
employment and improve their independent
living opportunities.
Introduction and Objectives
Individuals who are elderly or have a disability
The REU program collaborates with Stout require novel approaches for communicating
Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI) to efficiently with robotic-assisted services in their
create interdisciplinary research and innovative living environments and even unstructured
professional development. Students study the environment with safety and reliability. Our
advances in the design of human-interactive design of such systems is focused on cost
assistive robots, and apply robots in enhancing effectiveness, ease of control, and safe
Figure 4. iRobot Development for the Blind.
the quality of life for people with disabilities and operation, in order to enhance the autonomy and
the elderly. independence of such individuals, minimizing at
the same time the necessity for a caregiver. Outreach Activities
Long term, we hope to create an extensive social
network of students who have participated in A semi-autonomous robot has been developed
1. Science, Technology and Engineering Preview
REU research, gone on to graduate education, using the Kinova JACO robot arm and tested
Summer (STEPS)
and pursued a career in this field. The main with both able bodied users and an individual
2. STEM Camp
objectives of this REU effort are to: with an upper extremity disability. Users
consistently expressed their preference for this
(1) Increase participation in interdisciplinary
autonomous meal assistance system over
research by first-generation, female,
manually controlling the robot. They found mode
underrepresented minority students, and
switching confusing and frustrating using the
persons with disabilities.
joystick, and the robotic meal assistance system
(2) Empower students to pursue graduate
relieves those switches and simplifies the
education and prepare them for success in
feeding process.
graduate and professional engineering programs.
(3) Generate and share new knowledge regarding
Figure 5. REU Participants in Outreach Activities.
the practical applications of robots in assistive
technology, manufacturing engineering,
Conclusion
computer engineering, and mechanical design.
This work offers significant intellectual
Targeted Student Participants
contributions by improving student learning and
development in response to research experiences,
Our primary target population includes creating innovative approaches to manage the
underrepresented groups (women, minorities, training and professional development of students
and persons with disabilities), and first- and faculty in interdisciplinary research, and
generation (FG) college students. The REU site understanding the advances in the design of
provides research opportunities for students Figure 2. JACO Robot Arm. human-interactive assistive robots, and the
from academic institutions without an extensive robotics application in enhancing the quality of life
robotics infrastructure, and to enable them to Also, a navigation system that can be integrated for people with disabilities and the elderly. Our
both successfully compete for graduate into a wheelchair has been developed by our efforts at synthesizing different research projects
positions and bring back robotics “culture” to REU participant and faculty to improve steering centered on a unifying theme will improve our
their home institutions. We work with Stout capabilities. The wheelchair limits undesirable effectiveness in collaborative problem solving and
McNair Scholars program to attract paths, can give the user the freedom to choose in teaching undergraduates an interdisciplinary
underrepresented students, and provide a series which route to take. approach to research, and furthermore encouraging
of workshop and research training activities that them to continue their pursuit in engineering and
help students have a complete research STEM field.
experience at the REU and prepare them for
graduate school.
Acknowledgement
This research was supported by the National
Science Foundation NSF CNS Award # 1560219 and
NSF CNS Award # 1531700.
REU Website and Social Network
1. Robotics REU Website:
http://www.uwstout.edu/robotreu/
2. Robotics REU Facebook:
Figure 1. Robotics REU Undergraduate Researchers and
Figure 3. Wheelchair Navigation System.
https://www.facebook.com/Stout.Robotics.REU/
Faculty in 2016 Summer.
