AcadeCoders Presents: Robotics & Artificial Intelligence

This week’s AcadeCoders blog will feature all of the contents that the AcadeCoders provide in relation to the tasks given among the topics of robotics and artificial intelligence. Robotics and AI are prominent topics in society from various field of medicine, industry, software, and business; it’s an endless trend! With this development, it is key that the AcadeCoders grasp the understanding of robotics from a hands-on perspective and the impact it will have in the near future in the relationship between robotics and humans.

Day 1 (August 10, 2015)

The first day of the Robotics and Artifical Intelligence course with the wonderful AcadeCoders! After being given a tour of Academie de la Capitale, given all the camp rules in regards to camp and computer safety, and a few ice- breakers; the AcadeCoders transitioned into jiu-jitsu!

Instructor Phil of K2 Martial Arts ran a session with the AcadeCoders where they were taught technical jiu-jitsu moves that were combined with various fitness activities and team building games!

 

 

After jiu-jitsu and a snack break, the AcadeCoders were ready to begin learning more about robotics and artificial intelligence. This first began with a discussion amongst the AcadeCoders about drawing the line between human and robots, how we are able to harmonize, and the impact it has in our world or in the near future.

Following this fantastic discussion, the AcadeCoders began building their own chat bot as their first piece of artificial intelligence design. The AcadeCoders would use an animation and design software “Scratch”, where they create their own robot and program it to say anything they want! They would customize their robot to several different skins, situation designs, backgrounds, and characters.

 

 

After a wholesome lunch, the AcadeCoders took to Morrison Park for a beautiful day of outdoor activities! The AcadeCoders played various playground games, played on the play structure, swing on the swings, and just general socialization!

After outdoor activities and a well needed snack break, the AcadeCoders were ready to continue their afternoon full of robotics and artificial intelligence! The AcadeCoders took the chat bot development to the next level by creating their own robot icons interacting with other icons, while being aesthetically designed in various backgrounds and scenarios.

 

 

Day 2 (August 11th, 2015)

Day two of the AcadeCoders Robotics and Artificial Intelligence week! The AcadeCoders spent this morning being introduced to their challenge of creating a robotic arm. The AcadeCoders placed themselves in groups of three to four working together to design and build a robot arm with a variety of materials being given to them. The AcadeCoders spent the entire morning discussing how they will first go out about designing their robot arm and outlining a rough draft of their blueprint.

After a wholesome lunch, the AcadeCoders took to Morrison Park for outdoor activities! Despite the cloudy weather, the AcadeCoders still enjoyed playing various playground games, swinging on the swings, playing on the play structure, and socializing among their fellow AcadeCoders!

After outdoor activities and a well needed snack break, the AcadeCoders were ready to continue designing their robotic arm! The AcadeCoders spent the rest of the afternoon finishing their blueprints of their robotic arm design. The process of this was finishing a draft in the morning and creating the final draft design that included the design itself with measurements, materials used, and step-by-step instruction in building their robotic arm.

 

 

 

Day 3 (August 12th, 2015)

Day three of the AcadeCoder’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence program! The AcadeCoders were given the first part of the morning finishing the final draft of their design. This is where the AcadeCoders take account their final measurements and the exact amount of resources they need.

After finishing up their final design, the AcadeCoders went to their jiu-jitsu session with instructor Phil! This session, Phil taught the AcadeCoders various technical moves, breaks, falls, and fitness activities!

After jiu-jitsu and a snack break, the AcadeCoders were ready to go back building their Robot Arm! They spent the rest of morning outlining all their materials and begin taking the first steps in building  Robot Arm. It is key for each of the AcadeCoders to make sure all their measurements and resource counts are precise.

After a wholesome lunch, the AcadeCoders took to Morrison Park for a lovely and cool day of outdoor activities! The AcadeCoders enjoyed socializing among their fellow peers while playing various games on the play structure, basketball, and swinging on the swings!

 

 

 

After outdoor activities and a well needed snack break, the AcadeCoders were ready to continue building their robot arms! The AcadeCoders were working very hard designing a firm base to their design, outline all the measurements of their resources, and begin slowly building the structure while maintaining an aesthetic look.

Day 4 (August 13th, 2015)

Day four of the AcadeCoders Robotics and Artificial Intelligence session! The AcadeCoders spent the first half of the morning finishing up their robotic arms. They would add any additional structures necessary to display not only the aesthetic portion of their robotic arms but also the functionality of being able to pick up a single cup.

After snack, the AcadeCoders spent the second half of the morning finishing up their robotic arm; making additional details and final tests of stability and function. Once all the robotic arms were finished, the AcadeCoders would display their arm to the class and display the process, resources used, aesthetics, and functionality.

After a wholesome lunch, the AcadeCoders took to Morrison Park for a beautiful day of outdoor activities! The AcadeCoders enjoyed spending time on the play structure while playing various games, swinging on the swings, basketball, and socializing among their fellow AcadeCoders.

 

 

 

After lunch and a well-needed snack break, the AcadeCoders spent the rest of the afternoon watching Big Hero 6, a movie that renders various robotics and artificial intelligence themes and discussions. The AcadeCoders were then asked to brainstorm various discussion questions in preparation of the Skype Q & A with Mitch Counsell. Mitch Counsell is the Character Technical Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios, who played a role in the development of Big Hero 6.

Day 5 (August 14th, 2015)

Last day for the AcadeCoder’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence sessions! The AcadeCoders spent the morning devising questions for Mr. Counsell before the Skype Q & A. Each of the four groups had to devise four to five good questions, and as a class we will ask Mr. Counsell four central discussion questions.

Following their devised questions, the AcadeCoders spent the rest of the morning developing their own robots via Scratch relation of the Big Hero 6 theme today! The AcadCoders created various robots to their own customized size, shape, function, and aesthetic appeal.

 

 

After a wholesome lunch, the AcadeCoders were supposed to take off to Morrison Park for another great day of  outdoor activities but are met with some unfortunate rainy weather. Due to the bad weather, the AcadeCoders continued to work on their robots via Scratch.

In the afternoon, the AcadeCoders enjoyed having the Skype Q & A with Mitchell Counsell, Character Technical Directo of Walt Disney Animation Studios. The AcadeCoders discussed various topics of robotics and artificial intelligence while asking about Mr. Counsell’s work in Big Hero 6 and projects that he’s currently working on.