Mobile robots play a central role in the research and educational goals of this project. Research activities focus on the locomotion of walking, running, and swimming machines. A design approach is advocated in which desired dynamic behaviors are built into a robot, through such means as spring-mass and pendulum components. Control will be accomplished by coupling actuators to nonlinear oscillators, in a manner analogous to pattern generators in animals. Locomotion in unstructured environments will also be considered, and robots will be fabricated to test theoretical predictions. Bright high school students will be recruited for educational and research activities. A mechatronics course will be developed, which will feature a competition among student-constructed mobile robots and a focus on industry approaches to problem solving. Undergraduate students will be sought for participation in a national mobile robot competition. Use of the Internet for educational purposes will be explored in the development of hyperlearning modules for courses the PI teaches and in the use of videoconferencing technology to broadcast lectures. Graduate students interested in careers in academia will be encouraged to teach, write proposals, and supervise the research of undergraduates and high school students.
