CSCI 235: Intelligent Robotics

Project 1: Robot Concepts

Write a paper following these instructions:

• Read these three papers by Rodney Brooks:
  • A Robust Layered Control System for a Mobile Robot
  • Intelligence Without Representation
  • Elephants Don't Play Chess
• Discuss two works of fiction (books, movies) that portray robots. (Each work of fiction should belong to a separate fictional universe.) For each work:
  • Describe the setting and the role of robots in that setting.
  • Describe a specific robot from that setting, and briefly describe its role in the plot.
  • Analyze the robot in terms of both your knowledge of computers as well as what Brooks describes in his papers. What technological innovations would be necessary to create this robot?
• Select two types of robot from the list below. For each robot, conduct some research about it, and based on your research describe its purpose and capabilities. Compare and contrast the two robots in those terms.
  • Mars rovers (e.g. Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity)
  • Amazon Kiva warehouse robots
  • Baxter and Sawyer from Rethink Robotics
  • Roomba
  • Telepresence robots (e.g. iRobot Ava)
  • Security robot (e.g. Vigilus)
• Based on your analysis of the Rodney Brooks papers, as well as both fictional and existing robots, answer the following questions:
  • What aspects uniquely define what it means to be a robot?
  • Under what circumstances are robots useful? When should they be used?
• Write a conclusion summarizing your analysis.
• The paper should be submitted in MLA format, 12 point font. It should be no less than three full pages in length. It should be a PDF file, submitted via Moodle by 2:30 pm on Tuesday, August 28.