Enabling the next generation of robotics system designers

From large-scale automotive assembly lines to the portable Roomba vacuum cleaners in our homes, robotics have become an integral part of our lives. Robots have aided productivity in many industries including manufacturing, medicine and education, but regardless of the size, scale or type of application the common thread for all robotics applications is the fact that they are all creatively designed systems. 

We can all think of many robotics applications that would improve everyday life, but implementing them presents several challenges. How will they be programmed? What hardware should be used? Will the software and hardware work together, or will extra work be required to interface them? University engineering students are facing these issues.

Challenges in robotics education
Today's engineering students are being challenged to master the concepts of a particular engineering discipline and to become complete system designers. Robotics is probably the most promising and challenging designs that professional engineers will tackle. However, many engineering programs do not teach system design as its own discipline, despite the fact that more and more industry projects are demanding it as a skill set.

Integrating hardware and software
The power of standardization cannot be overestimated. Providing a platform that integrates both the hardware and software seamlessly allows for the iterative process of design to take place at a faster pace and with greater focus on solution-building rather than dealing with problems associated with using multiple tools from several vendors. Providing educational tools that allow students to grasp the fundamental concepts of robotics in a simplified way can usher higher levels of proficiency at early ages. Products such as LEGO MINDSTORMS powered by NI LabVIEW system design software is the same software engine that powers real world rocket launches and extraterrestrial robotics applications. Scaling the products to the user's level of proficiency provides tremendous value in creating versatile engineers with a holistic view of a system. Learning the function of basic sensors and actuators translates into customized hardware and control theory in later stages of education.

The intuitive nature of the software is critical to getting these budding engineers working with hardware in an easily digestible format. As an example, programming of FPGA boards used to be relegated strictly to the domain of experts in digital hardware design. Now through the use of graphical programming languages such as LabVIEW, students of varying backgrounds have the ability to program this technology and deploy real system applications within one semester.

Next generation of robotics applications
Creating a continuum of learning from grade school through industry applications coupled with hardware and software integration creates a new generation of system designers. These next generation engineers will have the ability to create robotics applications that surpass the best ideas of today's engineers. Through hands-on learning solutions, students will be better equipped to handle the most complex robotics challenges.

Nothing is more exciting than seeing companies changing the world through their creative designs. From K-12 students designing and building their own robots to groundbreaking robotic surgical advancements, equipping the next generation of robotics system designers is imperative.  Here are a few examples of robots powered by LabVIEW system design software:

Robotics in blind access technology
In an effort to promote the often underestimated capabilities of the blind and to inspire innovation in blind access technologies, the National Federation of the Blind proposed a challenge to design a system capable of providing the blind with the ability to drive. The Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at Virginia Tech was the only organization to accept the challenge. Established as a senior design team and undergraduate research project within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Virginia Tech Blind Driver Challenge (BDC) defined the initial goals for the world's first working prototype of a blind driver vehicle.

In only two semesters, with nine undergraduate students and $3,000 USD in seed funding, a blind driver would be expected to safely perform the three fundamental tasks: navigate through a curved driving course defined by a single lane of traffic cones, regulate speed within a predefined limit, and exhibit sufficient emergency-stop capability to avoid colliding with an obstacle.

Fig. 1: A blind man drive a test vehicle during research at Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech chose hardware and software interface based on the need for: a cost-effective prototyping platform, short data acquisition, processing performance to minimize lag in time-critical driving environments, compatibility with numerous sensors and devices, low power, reliability in demanding testing conditions, an intuitive programming interface, modularity, size, weight, and capacity for hardware expansion during future development. An NI hardware/software platform worked well for them.

The task provided more than 30 blind and visually impaired people from around the country with the opportunity to drive a vehicle. Whether it was their first time behind the wheel or a long-awaited reunion with an automobile, their reactions were overwhelmingly positive. This project raised tremendous awareness of the capabilities of the blind, and also inspired collaboration for the research and development of more novel blind access technologies.

Robotics in Cancer Treatment
One of the most common techniques oncologists use when treating cancer is photodynamic therapy (PDT), a special form of phototherapy – which are treatments that use light to induce beneficial reactions in a patient's body. PDT is capable of destroying unwanted tissue while sparing normal tissue.

During PDT treatment, a photosensitizer drug is administrated to the patient by injection. The photosensitizer is harmless and has no effect on either healthy or abnormal tissue, but when light emitted by a laser is directed at the tissue containing the drug, the drug is activated and the tissue is rapidly destroyed precisely where the light is directed. This technique allows for focused targeting of the abnormal tissue with careful application of the light beam, which translates into more effective treatment.

Lebanese University developed an automated robotic mechanical manipulator whose primary function consists of skimming along a patient's skin while performing the PDT technique. The robot moves the laser heads over the affected area of the patient's body in different geometrical designs, such as circular or elliptical shapes, to destroy tumors.

Achieving a geometrical shape over a patient's body requires five different movements.  To achieve this, five stepper motors must be controlled by signals generated by the command system.

NI LabVIEW directly controlled four stepper motors (X, Y, θ, and Φ); a Microchip Technology PICmicro microcontroller controlled the fifth motor (Z). The NI PCI-7334 motion controller uses a central processing unit and a DSP to form the backbone of the motion controller. It offered the performance and low latency needed to solve the complex motion applications, performing command fulfillment, host synchronization, I/O reaction, and system supervision. Lebanese University achieved smoother movement with less abrupt transitions.

Fig. 2: Student teams build complex robotics systems as part of the FIRST program.

K-12 robotics via FIRST
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is a nonprofit organization founded by engineer and inventor Dean Kamen. It inspires young people to be science and technology leaders. FIRST engages students in robotics competitions where student teams build complex robotics systems. The program builds math, engineering, and technology skills; encourages innovation; and fosters well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Today, nearly 200,000 students worldwide are engaged in FIRST programs, and participation in the organization increases the likelihood of students choosing to pursue engineering, science, or math degrees and complete postgraduate education.

FIRST has used the National Instruments CompactRIO platform as the controller of the robot system for several years. By partnering with NI, FIRST provides high school students access to advanced control capabilities including a 400 MHz PowerPC and field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based I/O. The CompactRIO modular I/O system offers connectivity to an array of sensor and actuator options and powerful vision processing capabilities, helping students create highly advanced robotics systems. Teams can develop robots that integrate driver-controlled and fully autonomous systems using the latest technologies including wireless monitoring and simulation for more in-competition control and accurate designs. NI recently extended its technology partnership with the organization, and has developed a next-generation embedded control platform code-named “Athena.” When paired with LabVIEW, the new rugged, reconfigurable platform will enable students to design and build their robots faster than ever before. The Athena controller will be deployed in the 2015 season of the FIRST Robotics Competition.