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Worked up from our meeting notes - modify as appropriate - remember to be
prepared for questions
Issue definition
1. Team Intro - Ben
Ladies & Gentlemen of the press, my name is Ben, and I thank
you for attending today's press conference. As the Project lead for
Eagle Robotics Labs, I would like to introduce some of our project team:
Patrick, our technical lead Josh, our
documentation lead Michelle, our Robovation lead
Kim, our Marketing lead and David, our
Media maven.
2. Project Intro - Ben
We would like to present the some details of our 2004
Project to you today. Coming off of our successful telepresence
project last year - the Mars rovers - we have applied telepresence to the
needs of disabled people right here on this planet - people who cannot leave
their location to travel to places that are import to them.
We have collaborated with a college student who has Cystic
Fibrosis, and periodically is confined to the hospital, and can be unable to
attend his classes for weeks at a time. We have tried to devise remote
access solutions by using telepresence.
3. Cystic Fibrosis -
Patrick
Cystic Fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder, inherited for
one's parents. It is a condition that effects the cells in the body that
create saliva, sweat, mucus and digestive juices. The secretions from these
cells become sticky and thick. This can cause blockage of vessels in the
body. New technologies and vaccines have improved treatment of CF (Cystic
Fibrosis), but there is no cure.
4. Meeting with Steven @ Lasell -
Patrick
We met with our collaborator Steven at his school, Lasell
College in Newton. He described his challenges to us - his regular
medications, his hospital treatments, his life as a college student.
He is an RA, and runs track. He is a fanatical Red Sox supporter, and
wants to be a sports agent.
But, he regularly falls behind on his work because of 2-3
week stays at Children's Hospital.
After, we took him out for his favorite meal - Baby Back
Ribs!
Reporter segue - Omer here, from SNN. How have you gone
about solving these problems?
Issue resolution
5. Avatar concept - 5 levels (mid
page) - Josh
We have named our project the Eagle Avatar project, Eagle
for our team designation, and Avatar for the Hindu word for the physical
incarnation of a god, which is used to represent an embodiment or
manifestation. We have categorized our Avatar telepresence (presence at a
distance) project into several different levels of functionality.
| Level 1 |
Video camera recording |
Video and sound to Steven, but not until media is delivered |
| Level 2 |
Internet Webcam |
Video & sound to Steven immediately, no reverse flow of information,
must be physically moved or multiples installed |
| Level 3 |
Laptop-based camera & microphone |
Bidirectional sound and video for full conversation, still must be
physically moved or multiples installed |
| Level 4 |
Laptop-based camera & microphone w/robotic chassis |
Bidirectional sound and video for full conversation, ability to move
platform under remote control |
| Level 5 |
Laptop-based camera & microphone w/robotic chassis plus
manipulators |
Bidirectional sound and video for full conversation, ability to move
platform under remote control and manipulate environment (open doors,
press elevator buttons, etc.) |
We have focused on Levels 3 & 4 for our Avatar project,
passing by Levels 1 & 2 as insufficient functionality, although in some
circumstances the Level 2 Internet webcam could be useful.
6. Prototypes concepts (lower same
page) - Michelle
We have built prototypes of a robotic chassis, for
demonstration of Level 4 Avatar functionality. Our Avatar chassis prototypes
are inspired by observations from the FRC competitions, especially from
observing Michael Norton and his gracious
FRC team from Blackstone
Valley Regional at the 2004 post-season competition,
BattleCry @ WPI.
7. NetMeeting link -
Michelle
With the help of our IT advisor, we configured a pair of
laptops to communicate back and forth over the internet. With webcams,
microphones, wireless network cards and MS NetMeeting for two-way sound and
vision, we used MSN messenger to make the connection between the laptops.
8. LEGO prototype - Michelle
Our
first
prototype was constructed from LEGO Technics and Mindstorms components.
9. Robovation prototype - Michelle
Our
second
prototype was constructed from Robovation components, from
Innovation First,
the same kit that is used for training FRC teams, and operates under radio
remote control. This design was expanded upon with additional components
and motors, to be large enough to actually carry our laptop and
camera/microphone system.
Reporter segue - Rebecca here, from SBC News. How have
you presented these ideas to the world?
Solution Marketing
10. Meeting Steven @
Children's Hospital - Kim
Well, in addition to this press conference . . .
A delegation from the team
visited Steven at Children's Hospital during two weeks of treatment. He had
undergone nose surgery and bronchoscopy, in addition to his intravenous
medication.
We showed Steven a
prototype Level 3 laptop-based video & audio communications system. He
liked it, and thought that it could be used to connect his laptop through
his internet link at Children's Hospital, although his college has limited
wireless internet connections.
Of course, we brought him
his favorite - Baby Back Ribs!
11. Web site, Sharon
Middle School, Heights Elementary, CF Foundation - Kim
Our website -
eagleunlimited.home.comcast.net - has all of our results, and can be found
easily through Google.
We also presented our
solution to several public school principals in our town - Mr. Berkowitz,
Mrs. Lamore and Mr. Cushing - to see if it could benefit any Sharon
students. We showed the communications and the Avatar robot chassis, and
explained the concept of the FLL and the No Limits challenge. They felt
that the level 2 or 3 Avatar would be an easier fit at the elementary school
level, as most of the teaching is done in a single room. Webcams were
thought to be an easier step for limited implementation in a multi-classroom
setting for the middle school, and the idea of a robot traveling the hall in
the 3-minute classroom change was challenging.
We also contacted the local
chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to have them consider the benefits
Avatars could have for people in situations like Steven’s.
12. Fund Raising - Halloween Walk, 8th grade SMS Community
Service project - Kim
The team participated in a
fund-raising run in Rhode Island last October to raise money for CF
research.
Currently, the team has
spearheaded the 8B community service project at SMS, raising money for CF.
Current planning is to sponsor a video game tournament and movie showings.
Also, bracelets with the phrase “65 Roses” will be sold to support CF
research. Also, a spring run is being considered.
16. Conclusion - Benjamin
Thanks for attending our conference, and please visit our team area and
our website, and try our RoboSumo!
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