Robot Campers Simulate Navigating on Mars

06/09/09

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Department of Computer Science and Engineering is hosting Robot Camp 2009 this week for students entering the 6th and 7th grades.

The camp gives participants the opportunity to work with Lego Mindstorm NXT Next Generation robots, learning to program them to solve a variety of engineering and computer science problems. Using a computer language developed by National Instruments, the campers work in small teams under the direction of "mentor" students who are computer science majors at UMHB.

The groups develop their problem solving skills as they decide how to use the robots light sensors, touch sensors, and ultrasonic range finders to carry out specific tasks.

A photo opportunity will be available on Friday, June 26 from 2:00 to 4:30 as the campers compete in a contest, to see which group's robot can herd balls into a corral most effectively. Campers will also be demonstrating how they have programmed their robots to navigate a miniature terrain that simulates the Mars surface.

A second camp for students entering the 4th and 5th grades will be held July 6 through 10. The camps are directed by Dr. Bill Tanner, chairman of the UMHB Department of Computer Science and Engineering. For more information, he may be reached at 254-493-4719 or e-mail at btanner@umhb.edu.

 

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