Instructional Technology
Conference 2007

Title: Techniques to promote Collaborative Learning Technology Innovations with Limited Resources

Name: Mahesh Merchant and Silpa Wairatpanij

Audience Level: all

Audience: faculty, instructional technology specialists, lab directors

Length: 1 hour

Abstract:
The widespread proliferation of broadband has encouraged academics and industry to offer on-line classes with streaming audio and video. However, considerable challenges persist when it comes to offering courses in the life sciences that involve laboratories. The challenges encountered in controlling a robot from a remote site and observing the movement in real-time will be presented.

Description:
Significance
In 1999, Indiana University was the first university to form an independent School of Informatics. In 2003, the university introduced the first Masters Program in Laboratory Informatics that focuses on data acquisition, data processing, laboratory information management system, laboratory automation, scientific data management (including data analysis and long-term archiving), and electronic laboratory notebooks. The Zymate™ laboratory robot (Caliper Life Sciences) is an excellent tool for demonstrating the principles of laboratory robotics. This first generation robot donated to the School of Informatics by Hershey, had severe limitations as the technology was outdated and it was controlled by a proprietary, motion-level programming language. The first phase of this project completely rebuilt the robot using the latest sensors, actuators, and controller hardware that can be controlled by using LabView™, an industry standard software package used to control instruments and robots. The second phase will include building a robot simulator that mimics the Zymate robot thus allowing a student to “test” his/her virtual instrument before executing a program on the robot. The user will have the option to observe the simulation in real-tine or record the movement of the robot to review the simulation at a later time. This will prevent accidental damage to the robot or the equipment being handled by the robot. The students will be able to use a web browser to “download” their programs to the robot and view the behavior of the robot using a video camera that is focused on the robot. Most of the web-based robot applications do not have the capability of displaying real-time streaming video as they cannot maintain refresh rates demanded by the rapid movements of a robot. Tests with varying camera resolutions and different interfaces will be conducted to find an optimal solution for on-line courses.

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

Contact information/affiliation:
Mahesh Merchant and Silpa Wairatpanij
Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis
719 Indiana Avenue
Walker Plaze, WK319
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Email: mmerchan@iupui.edu
Phone: (317) 278-9206