Robotics Learning Platform With Dual Processing for Real-Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotics and computing learning platforms face challenges in providing students with accessible, expandable, and affordable technology for developing computing skills, particularly due to reliance on proprietary components and network connectivity, and struggle to manage real-time functionality using low-cost processors.
Innovation Solution
A robotics and computing learning platform with a multi-level processing architecture that includes a removable first processing module for high-level programming and a second processing module for real-time functionality, along with a component ecosystem using radially symmetric designs for interconnectivity, allowing students to build machines using commonly available items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single low-cost processor is used to support high-level programming and real-time functionality, then cost is reduced, but system reliability deteriorates due to freezing or failure to support real-time functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate processing modules: a first processing module for high-level programming language execution and a second processing module for real-time functionality management. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, with the second module ensuring real-time responsiveness while the first module handles educational programming tasks, thereby resolving the contradiction between cost and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface is introduced as an intermediary between the first processing module and the second processing module. This interface enables the first module to send high-level commands while the second module translates and executes them in real-time, allowing the system to maintain both cost-effectiveness and real-time reliability through coordinated modular operation.
2Reliability
If proprietary components and software are used, then functionality is maintained, but accessibility and affordability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces that allow the processing modules to work with various hardware components and programming environments. The first processing module supports multiple high-level programming languages, while the second module can interface with different sensor and actuator types, making the system accessible and adaptable to diverse educational settings without requiring proprietary components.
3Productivity
If network connectivity is required, then computing capabilities are enhanced, but accessibility deteriorates due to inadequate or unreliable networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential computing and processing capabilities from network-dependent environments and embeds them in local processing modules. The first processing module can execute programming tasks locally without network connectivity, and the second processing module handles real-time control independently, allowing students to access and use the system in locations with inadequate or unreliable networks while maintaining full computing functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing and robotics learning platform includes a component ecosystem with gears, pucks, side plates and connectors configured to support the integration of globally available materials, such as rubber bands, pencils and popsicle sticks is described herein. Certain embodiments according to this disclosure include a platform device comprising a multi-layer processing structure capable of implementing student programs written in beginner or high-level programming languages without latency or performance degradation from processing tasks associated with low-level system functions, such as motor encoding.