Here, we document and describe the overall progress from idea inception, to learning projects, to ultimate design and construction, of the LAIA Eagle Robotics Project. The Eagle is Coppin State’s mascot. During the Spring 2017 semester, Dr. Hatley created the initial design of LAIA Eagle Robot and began working with two Coppin State Honors Students, Antonio Harrell and Shallum Alfred, to accomplish its initial prototype.
Armed with only the idea, students began researching various empirical and non-empirical articles about their chosen areas of robotics and artificial intelligence. Antonio and Shallum decided their initial focus would be facial recognition, collision detection, and motion tracking.
Learning Project #1: Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection, and Facial Recognition
Project change: We will work on this Hackster.io project from Dexter instead. The cool thing is we can also work on this project from Dexter as well.
The first ‘learning’ project is to use Google Vision API and the Dexter GoPiGo Robot for determine how to design and construct a robot for image detection and facial recognition. This project was found on Hackster.io. Please see link below for a direct link to the project.
The objectives of this learning project are:
- To learn the Dexter Cinch (linux) operating system
- Learn Python and use it to control the Dexter GoPiGo Robot
- Students will use the example programs to create their own (e.g. control GoPiGo from a keyboard)
- Become familiar with the Google Vision API (facial recognition, image detection)
- Understand how JSON works
- Construct Dexter GoPiGo Robot
- Establish foundation for other creative projects with the Dexter GoPiGo.
Updates are below.
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: November 2018
Prince Ghartey (Pictured Right) resurrected this project! We are excited by his interest! ElijahNoel, a Mathematics Major at Coppin, is pictured left. They seem to be in deep conversation – probably about something Java related.
Greetings, as I am preparing to create the, Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection, and Facial Recognition robot I have to first learn a computer programming language called python. As some of you know Python is one of the most popular languages to learn when it comes to technology and computing. I devoted three weeks of my time learning Python because whether I like it or not I will have to learn python and Linux in order to create this robotic project and make it function using commands. I used different types of websites and also some videos to help guide me. Just like everyone else I had to be familiar with API’s and how to use them properly. Many apps use google API, for this one specifically I had to become well adapt on Google Vision API which some people know as facial recognition or image detection. As I begin this journey I made a promise to myself that I will finish it.
*Prince Ghartey
November 15, 2018
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: May 2, 2017
Our Dexter GoPiGo has arrived as well! Awesome! We now need to learning the Dexter Cinch Operating System to maneuver the robot.
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: May 1, 2017
Some parts for the first prototype/experiment have arrived. We are still waiting for the Dexter GoPiGo.
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: April 28, 2017
Project change: We will work on this Hackster.io project from Dexter instead. The cool thing is we can also work on this project from Dexter as well.
All parts have been ordered! 🙂 A huge thanks to Dr. Hatley for purchasing these parts personally so we can get started right away!
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: April 25, 2017
To make research “more fun” as the students describe, we are working on a project from Hackster.io to begin to learn the programming aspects of facial recognition. Students are going to try implementing this project.
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: April 21, 2017
Meeting at the library to learn how to use online searching resources. Unfortunately, Coppin doesn’t have subscriptions to the libraries and catalogs we need. However, Coppin is a member of USM so we can still grab what we need as an interlibrary loan (hopefully). Google Scholar and the Coppin State University Moore Library OneSearch link should be extremely valuable.
Dexter GoPiGo, Image Detection and Facial Recognition (Learning) Project: April 4, 2017
As CSU Honor Students progress through learning about robotics, they had selected to focus on: facial recognition, collision detection, and motion tracking. Searches for empirical and non-empirical articles have begun, to inform the writing of their literature reviews.
LAIA Eagle Robotics Project: March 2017
The LAIA Eagle Robot is LAIA’s recently launched homemade robotics project. A group of CSU Honors students are working on the construction of a robot, the LAIA Eagle, from scratch. This is all that can be shared about the project at this time, but we hope to see prototypes walking and riding around the Mathematics and Computer Science floor of the Science and Technology Center soon.