The goal and purpose of this initiative is to use open-source robotics to bring more diverse communities to electrical engineering. It will increase access and inclusion for communities that may be under resourced and underrepresented in robotics.
Open-source hardware are designs that are publicly available for anyone to modify, distribute, make, or sell. Open-source software is source code that anyone can access, inspect, modify, improve, and distribute. Open-source robotics builds upon the principles of open-source software and open-source hardware. The Open-Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) has a goal to encourage research and foster technical knowledge by making it more accessible and collaborative.
The “Robotics for the Streets” project has a goal to expand open-source hardware in academia by documenting how to use it for service, teaching, and research by making a library of resources for others to follow. There is a secondary goal of diversifying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by using open-source robotics to increase access to and visibility of STEM technology for marginalized, minoritized, and under-resourced communities. These resources would then be used to educate members of the IEEE community including academics, professionals, and government members in hopes that they will take those newly acquired skills to educate others and grow the community. The deliverables for this project include an online repository of research and educational materials for industry, government, faculty, students, and practitioners can access. Ideally the expected outcome is educating a diverse community of members with a wide range of skillsets from novice to intermediate with respect to robotics, controls, electronics, and software development.
The open-source mobile robot platform, Flower∞Bots. Flower∞Bots consist of three robots at the novice, intermediate, and expert levels including Lily∞Bot, Daisy∞Bot and Rosie∞Bot, respectively. These robots have the flexibility and modularity for modification based upon the user’s needs. The benefits of this platform include the ability to be appropriate for any level and used for a variety of use cases. This research project is a unique, novel, and innovative practice for engineering education and research because it encourages diverse perspectives and voices to contribute to the creation and improvement of technology. The robots can be programmed using text-based software like MicroPython or Arduino Sketch as well as graphical based programming like Blockly, Makey, or Scratch. The robots can also be modified to collaborate with several controllers including Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano, Arduino Giga, Raspberry Pi Pico W, MicroBit and CircuitExpress. This enables the robotics platform to grow with the user and satisfy a diverse range of needs based upon the multidisciplinary aspects of robotics.
This educational robotics platform will serve as a model and pathway for teachers, professors, practitioners, and STEM enthusiasts, with limited resources to engage in robotics outreach, teaching, and research. The platform and guidebook will enable teachers and academics to meet their professional development goals at a low cost. The deliverables can also benefit industry and government leaders who want to learn the basic concepts of robotics, electronics, software, and controls. The PI could also partner with industry and government to offer robotics and AI workshops to members and the community. In addition, this project can contribute to a presentation or learning materials for the IEEE Education Society Virtual Graduate Study Consortium. The pedagogical resources would also prove useful to the Education Society and can be shared on the IEEE EAB Teaching Excellence Hub in the areas of engineering, computer science and equity, diversity, and inclusion. It is expected the benefits will be achieved in December 2024 for this phase and May 2025 for the second phase.
Videos about engineering education, robotics education and diversifying STEM.
Carlotta A. Berry, PhD #NoireSTEMinist Bringing STEM 2 to people & people 2 STEM to diversify STEM
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