This project involves the development of an undergraduate Laboratory integrating computer vision with robot task planning. Further, applications involving low-level electronics interfacing are studied by students of applied physics. One aim of the laboratory is to provide experiences for Computer Science students that will enable them to understand, implement, and clearly see the applications of artificial intelligence techniques in a physical world situation. Major instruments in this project include 1) cameras and image processing computers for the vision component, 2) robot manipulators and controlling computers for the machine intelligence component, and 3) a local area network to integrate vision with robotics and to allow data transfer among all components. The project is significant in that it eliminates a curriculum deficiency by providing laboratory experiences for undergraduates in the areas of computer vision, machine intelligence, and electronics interfacing. These serve both for instruction and for instilling enthusiasm for continued work at the graduate level. The award is being matched by an equal amount from the principal investigator's institution.
