Interview with Jerry Tan: Service robotic growth for schooling

On the Worldwide Joint Convention on Synthetic Intelligence (IJCAI) 2023, I had the chance to interview Jerry Tan from Lattel Robotics, an organization devoted to selling AI-focused robotics schooling and coaching. They work intently with the RoboCup@House Training initiative, supporting faculties and establishments in introducing AI and repair robotic growth to college students. Their objective is to equip learners with sensible AI software expertise in pc imaginative and prescient, autonomous navigation, object manipulation and speech interactions.

By way of their AI robotics and AI functions workshops, Lattel Robotics affords an introduction to robotic working system (ROS)-based AI functions growth in service robotics. As a {hardware} companion for the RoboCup@House Training initiative, they help faculties and establishments in competing in AI robotic challenges by creating functions that deal with real-world issues. Their AI studying options embody organising AI laboratories, designing curriculums and creating courseware.

Andrea: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. It’s a pleasure to satisfy you. Might you please inform me extra about who can profit from the Jupiter2 platform, and what precisely it’s designed to do?

Jerry: Nearly anybody can use it with a programming background to get began to develop their very own AI functions by way of service robotic growth, utilizing open supply software program.

Andrea: What sort of sensors do your robots use? Simply microphones and cameras, or is there extra?

Jerry: Sure, so we use a spread of sensors, together with RGB-D cameras and LIDAR sensors for depth notion. In addition to, we have now microphones and audio system for speech interplay, together with robotic arms for object manipulation and cellular platforms for navigation.

Andrea: So, I’ve just a little query about this. Do you’ve got an API (Utility Programming Interface) that college students and researchers can work by means of?

Jerry: It’s not at all times vital, because the robotic is provided with its personal laptop computer, performing as a central processing unit. Getting began is simpler, as we have now built-in the {hardware} platform with open-source software program like OpenCV and YOLO, utilizing the Robotic Working System (ROS1 and ROS2). These are in style instruments amongst AI researchers and builders.

Andrea: It sounds intriguing, however the setup course of appears sophisticated. Integration usually takes time.

Jerry: The robotic platform is already built-in and able to be deployed. For our AI studying gadget, Juno2, all it’s worthwhile to do is to attach it to a laptop computer by way of a USB port and you’ll right away boot up the Linux (Ubuntu) surroundings with ROS, with none software program set up.

AI studying gadget, Juno2.

Andrea: How do you’re employed with faculties?

Jerry: We’re an schooling answer supplier, supporting faculties and establishments that wish to introduce sensible AI functions studying in a classroom. Programming expertise in Python or C++ is a prerequisite in doing AI functions growth. So we offer Python introduction workshop for full rookies. Then utilizing a train-the-trainers strategy, we provide 3-day AI robotics workshops utilizing Jupiter2 or 2-day AI functions workshops utilizing Juno2. By way of these workshops, educators are given an outline of the AI functions modules which might allow them to customize the fabric accordingly for schooling, coaching and even analysis functions.

Andrea: What if somebody doesn’t have direct entry to the robotic? Can they work remotely?

Jerry: Completely. You may join by way of a distant desktop software program out of your pc and proceed programming. As talked about simply now, we even have a smaller gadget referred to as Juno2, designed for classroom use. You don’t want the total robotic setup on this case; you should use this gadget to do pc imaginative and prescient and speech interactions functions. It’s a plug-and-play answer that works with any laptop computer or working system, mechanically loading Ubuntu, ROS and our Jupiter software program growth frameworks. It’s good for conducting on-line lessons, as college students can proceed studying from residence or wherever they’re.

Andrea: In case you have a robotic like this, can further elements, like audio system, be added to your robots?

Jerry: Sure, undoubtedly. That’s query. Jupiter2 is an open platform that’s
customisable and reconfigurable. In case you have an engineering background, you’ll be able to modify the {hardware} based mostly on the necessities. This flexibility permits each rookies and superior customers to deal with their particular areas of curiosity, whether or not it’s software program programming or {hardware} customisation.

Andrea: Have you ever exported these devices earlier than?

Jerry: Sure, we have now exported to Europe, Africa, South and North America earlier than. Up to now there are greater than 30 over faculties, universities and establishments globally which have adopted our studying platforms for schooling, coaching, analysis and/or robotic competitions.

Andrea: Incredible, thanks in your time and insights. I want you continued success sooner or later!

You will discover extra info on the Lattel Robotics web site.

Jerry Tan is the Managing Director of Lattel Robotics. A German-trained engineer turned entrepreneur, Jerry is at the moment working the AI robotics schooling and coaching corporations in Malaysia and Singapore. Striving to empower anybody in getting began to be taught AI functions virtually, Jerry works intently with faculties and educational establishments in organising laboratories and creating courseware.