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@Residence Training initiative, supporting faculties and establishments in introducing AI and repair robotic improvement to college students. Their aim is to equip learners with sensible AI software abilities in pc imaginative and prescient, autonomous navigation, object manipulation and speech interactions.
By way of their AI robotics and AI functions workshops, Lattel Robotics gives an introduction to robotic working system (ROS)-based AI functions improvement in service robotics. As a {hardware} associate for the RoboCup@Residence Training initiative, they help faculties and establishments in competing in AI robotic challenges by creating functions that handle real-world issues. Their AI studying options embody establishing AI laboratories, designing curriculums and creating courseware.
Andrea: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. It’s a pleasure to satisfy you. May 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 through service robotic improvement, 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 variety of sensors, together with RGB-D cameras and LIDAR sensors for depth notion. In addition to, we’ve got microphones and audio system for speech interplay, together with robotic arms for object manipulation and cell platforms for navigation.
Andrea: So, I’ve a bit of query about this. Do you might have an API (Software Programming Interface) that college students and researchers can work by way of?
Jerry: It’s not at all times crucial, because the robotic is supplied with its personal laptop computer, performing as a central processing unit. Getting began is less complicated, as we’ve got built-in the {hardware} platform with open-source software program like OpenCV and YOLO, utilizing the Robotic Working System (ROS1 and ROS2). These are fashionable instruments amongst AI researchers and builders.
Andrea: It sounds intriguing, however the setup course of appears difficult. Integration typically takes time.
Jerry: The robotic platform is already built-in and able to be deployed. For our AI studying system, Juno2, all it is advisable to do is to attach it to a laptop computer through a USB port and you may immediately boot up the Linux (Ubuntu) atmosphere with ROS, with none software program set up.
AI studying system, Juno2.
Andrea: How do you’re employed with faculties?
Jerry: We’re an schooling resolution supplier, supporting faculties and establishments that need to introduce sensible AI functions studying in a classroom. Programming expertise in Python or C++ is a prerequisite in doing AI functions improvement. 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 possibly can join through a distant desktop software program out of your pc and proceed programming. As talked about simply now, we even have a smaller system known as Juno2, designed for classroom use. You don’t want the complete robotic setup on this case; you need to use this system to do pc imaginative and prescient and speech interactions functions. It’s a plug-and-play resolution that works with any laptop computer or working system, robotically loading Ubuntu, ROS and our Jupiter software program improvement frameworks. It’s excellent for conducting on-line courses, as college students can proceed studying from house or wherever they’re.
Andrea: If in case you have a robotic like this, can extra elements, like audio system, be added to your robots?
Jerry: Sure, positively. That’s an excellent query. Jupiter2 is an open platform that iscustomisable and reconfigurable. If in case you have an engineering background, you possibly can modify the {hardware} based mostly on the necessities. This flexibility permits each rookies and superior customers to concentrate on 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’ve got 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: Improbable, thanks in your time and insights. I want you continued success sooner or later!
You could find extra data 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 firms in Malaysia and Singapore. Striving to empower anybody in getting began to study AI functions virtually, Jerry works intently with faculties and tutorial establishments in establishing laboratories and creating courseware.
Andrea Rafai
is a Ph.D. candidate on the College of Politics and Worldwide Relations, East China Regular College
Andrea Rafai
is a Ph.D. candidate on the College of Politics and Worldwide Relations, East China Regular College