CoderZ has launched CoderZ Adventure, a new coding and robotics course for elementary school students in grades two through five. The course contains activities and assignments, including more than 50 gamified “missions” with easy-to-follow walkthroughs and tips. It is designed to empower even teachers who are coding novices so that they can include a more comprehensive STEM foundation in their students’ early knowledge base.
CoderZ Adventure introduces students to the world of STEM and robotics through an exciting journey of adventures in the CoderZ world. Students will learn how to program their virtual robot to navigate in CoderZ Frozen Island, the Lost City, Candy Town and other stimulating locations while practicing basic math, geometry and more. Students work their way through seven adventures covering multiple topics:
1. Adventure Peak introduces basic navigation such as driving and turning using Drive and Turn blocks. 2. Frozen Island practices basic arithmetic practice: addition, subtraction and division. 3. The Lost City covers how to use the program’s Explore Mode feature to measure distances, the Wait block and Repeat Loops 4. Crystal Crater covers basic geometry exercises: angles and parallel lines. Students also practice Repeat Loops. 5. Candy Town delves into more geometry: the concept of the radius of a circle. Students also continue practicing Repeat Loops. 6. Sketch It is a practice exercise during which students draw on a virtual sketchpad using all the skills learned previously. 7. The Milky Way uses the Explore Mode feature to measure angles and radii. Students plan the optimal route to complete a mission as quickly and efficiently as possible, given a time limit.
Each session contains a series of related missions that enable students to learn to code with the virtual robot, apply their math skills and practice problem solving.
CoderZ Adventure is already proving popular with teachers and their students. One of the program’s fans is Christy Gonzales who teaches a robotics class at Pinecrest Glades Academy in Florida. “They’re loving the game!” she said. She challenges each student to try to find the solution first. “I incentivize them to resolve the challenge as efficiently as possible,” she explained. “Kids LOVE a race.”
“It’s great to see the CoderZ Team bookend the well-known middle school Cyber Robotics 101 and 102 packages expanding to a complete pedagogical solution with CoderZ Adventure as an incredible elementary school solution and text-based Python Gym for secondary school students,” said Trevor Pope, CoderZ Success Manager at CoderZ. “Programming virtual robots with CoderZ has an educational, engaging, competitive, fun and positive impact for all students in grades 2-12.”
About CoderZ CoderZ is an innovative and engaging online learning environment. Developed for students in grades 2 and above, the gamified STEM solution allows student to work at their own pace, easily programming real and virtual robots from anywhere in the world. The platform enables students to acquire computational thinking, problem solving and creativity skills, together with coding and STEM learning, all via a flexible and scalable virtual solution. For more information go to http://www.gocoderz.com.
Festo has entered into a strategic partnership with MassRobotics, based in Boston, to further global market growth and innovation initiatives dedicated to the development of the next generation of robotics.
MassRobotics, the independent, nonprofit group serving as an innovation hub for robotics and smart connected devices, works to foster a collaborative space in which to inspire the next generation of robotics and automation innovators and builders. The organization’s unique “escalator” model allows startups to establish, grow, offer meaningful employment, and provide ongoing value for MassRobotics’ partner organizations.
MassRobotics also creates a supportive learning environment to engage youth and next generation engineers and entrepreneurs by offering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshops, competitions, and technical internships. MassRobotics supports the Ventilator Project, founded by entrepreneurs located at MassRobotics. The Ventilator Project aims to solve the ventilator shortage crisis with an innovative low-cost ventilator designed by members; the team is currently seeking FDA approval for the device.
“We are pleased to announce our partnership with MassRobotics,” said Alfons Riek, Vice President Technology and Innovation, Festo. “Combining Festo’s in-depth know-how in manufacturing applications and automation technology with the MassRobotics community will enable Festo to engage with robotics and automation startups. We will collaborate with entrepreneurs and academia alike in bringing innovative new automation and robotic concepts and solutions to market.”
“The Boston area with its high density of robotic expertise is very interesting for us, and we expect many interesting opportunities for our robot development throughout the partnership with MassRobotics,” said Christian Tarragona, Vice President Festo Robotics.
Carlos Miranda, CEO, Festo North America, added, “Festo and other MassRobotics members will explore the evolution of automated manufacturing solutions to autonomous ones. Through technology challenge engagements, members will co-develop and commercialize advanced products and systems.”
Festo is one of the world’s leading automation companies, and, in addition to technology, the company offers automation learning systems through its Didactic Division. It promotes public and private alliances that implement apprenticeship programs. Festo invests heavily in research and development. The Bionic Learning Network, for example, creates novel solutions based on designs found in nature. The network emphasizes Festo partnerships with academia and technology businesses.
“MassRobotics and Festo share a vision of developing the future of robotic solutions dedicated to the emerging needs of the manufacturing sector,” said Fady Saad, Cofounder and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, MassRobotics. “Having an automation company with the expertise, resources, and leading-edge development capabilities of Festo will further the mission of MassRobotics and create excitement about our collaborative efforts.”
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About Festo Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components, and controls for process and industrial automation. For more than 40 years, Festo Corporation has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment. Connect with Festo: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube
About MassRobotics MassRobotics is the collective work of a group of Boston-area engineers, rocket scientists and entrepreneurs. With a shared vision to create an innovation hub and startup cluster focused on the needs of the robotics community, MassRobotics was born. MassRobotics’ mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and connected device companies by providing entrepreneurs and innovative robotics/automation startups with the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test and commercialize their products and solutions. http://www.massrobotics.org
NEW YORK, SANTA CLARA, Calif., and MANILA, The Philippines; April 22, 2020 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN), Intel and the Philippines-based Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation have developed a new solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor, characterize and analyze coral reef resiliency. The solution — the work product of Project: CORaiL, an initiative the three organizations created in 2019 — has been deployed in a reef in the Philippines since last year.
Coral reefs are some of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, with more than eight hundred species of corals building and providing habitats and shelter for approximately 25% of global marine life. The reefs also benefit humans — protecting coastlines from tropical storms, providing food and income for 1 billion people, and generating US$9.6 billion in tourism and recreation annually. But reefs are being endangered and rapidly degraded by overfishing, bottom trawling, warming temperatures and unsustainable coastal development.
“Project: CORaiL is an incredible example of how AI and edge computing can be used to help researchers monitor and restore the coral reef. We are very proud to partner with Accenture and the Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation on this important effort to protect our planet,” said Rose Schooler, corporate vice president in Intel’s sales and marketing group.
A critical element of Project: CORaiL was to identify the number and variety of fish around a reef, which serve as an important indicator of overall reef health. Traditional coral reef monitoring efforts involve human divers manually capturing video footage and photos of the reef. In addition to being dangerous and time-intensive, this approach can disrupt marine life, as divers might inadvertently frighten fish into hiding.
Engineers from Accenture, Intel and Sulubaaï implemented an artificial, concrete reef — called a Sulu-Reef Prosthesis (SRP) — to provide support for unstable coral fragments underwater. The SRP was designed by Sulubaaï and placed in the reef surrounding the Pangatalan Island in the Philippines. Fragments of living coral were planted on it and will grow and expand, providing a hybrid habitat for fish and marine life.
The engineers then strategically placed intelligent underwater video cameras, equipped with the Accenture Applied Intelligence Video Analytics Services Platform (VASP), to detect and photograph fish as they pass by. VASP uses AI, powered by Intel Xeon, Intel FPGA Programmable Acceleration Cards and Intel Movidius VPU, to count and classify the marine life. The data is then sent to a surface dashboard, providing analytics and trends to researchers on the ground in real-time, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that will help the reef progress.
“The value of your data depends on how quickly you can glean insights to make decisions from it,” said Athina Kanioura, Accenture’s chief analytics officer and Accenture Applied Intelligence lead. “With the ability to do real-time analysis on streaming video, VASP enables us to tap into a rich data source — in effect doing ‘hands on’ monitoring without disrupting the underwater environment.”
Since being deployed in May 2019, the solution has collected roughly 40,000 images, which researchers have used to gauge reef health in real-time.
“Artificial intelligence provides unprecedented opportunities to solve some of society’s most vexing problems,” said Jason Mitchell, a managing director in Accenture’s Communications, Media & Technology practice and the company’s client lead for Intel. “Our ecosystem of corporate and social partners for this ‘AI for social good’ project proves that strength in numbers can make a positive environmental impact.”
Engineers from Accenture and Intel are already at work on the next-gen Project: CORaiL prototype, which will include an optimized convolutional neural network and a backup power supply. They are also looking into infra-red cameras which will enable videos at night to create a complete picture of the coral ecosystem. Additional uses could include studying the migration rate of tropical fish to colder countries and monitoring intrusion in protected or restricted underwater areas.
About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries — powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 509,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
About Intel Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches lives. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help address our customers’ greatest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every kind of computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform business and society for the better. To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.
About Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation Created in 2012, Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation (SEF) is a Philippine-based non-profit organization dedicated to conserve, protect, and restore the natural resources of Palawan through environmentally sustainable practices and active ecosystems restoration. Its action is mainly focused on the island of Pangatalan and its surroundings in Shark Bay. To learn more, visit https://sulubaai-foundation.com/.
Leistungsstarker Saugroboter schafft mehr Zeit für die schönen Dinge des Lebens
Der neue Robot Vacuum T1 von Lenovo
Berlin, 21. April 2020 – In puncto Zeitersparnis und Komfort sind Saugroboter wertvolle Helfer im Haushalt. Mit dem Robot Vacuum T1 hat der Technologieexperte Lenovo sein Portfolio um einen innovativen Wisch- und Saugroboter mit automatisierter Entladungsfunktion erweitert. Der leistungsstarke Haushaltshelfer ist ab sofort im Handel erhältlich.
Der Robot Vacuum T1 sorgt selbstständig für staub- und schmutzfreie Räume. Der Nutzer wählt ganz bequem ob er staubsaugen, wischen oder beide Reinigungsfunktionen kombinieren will. Die gewünschte Reinigungsfunktion kann praktisch via App auf den jeweiligen Bedarf und die Raumverhältnisse angepasst werden. Die smarte Steuerung ist auch über Alexa und Google Assistant möglich.
Automatisierte Entladungsfunktion
Mit dem 5200mAh starken Li-Ionen-Akku gelingt eine Reinigungszeit bis zu 150 Minuten und damit eine Reichweite von bis zu 200 Quadratmetern. Ist der Akku leer, fährt der Robot Vacuum 1 automatisch zur Ladestation zurück. In vier bis fünf Stunden ist der Akku vollständig aufgeladen und führt automatisch das Reinigungsprogramm zu Ende. In der Pro-Variante ist zudem eine automatisierte Entladungsfunktion für den aufgesaugten Schmutz in der Ladestation eingebaut.
Automatisierte Entladungsfunktion bei der Pro-Variante
Intelligente Steuerung und Orientierung
Insgesamt 29 Sensoren sorgen für intelligente Steuerung und Orientierung im Raum. Lenovo verbaut eine LDS-Laser-Navigation, die es dem Robot Vacuum T1 ermöglicht, die Entfernung zu Hindernissen genau zu berechnen. Der integrierte Kantensensor warnt vor Treppenstufen und bremst rechtzeitig ab. Auch kleinere Hindernisse wie Türschwellen, Kabel oder Teppichböden stellen keine Hürden dar. In Zahlen ausgedrückt, schafft der Saugroboter eine Steigfähigkeit von bis zu 20 Millimetern.
Design mit Funktion
Die Höhe des Staubsaugerroboters fällt mit 98 Millimetern gezielt flach aus. So kann der Wisch- und Saugroboter unter Möbel fahren und damit auch unter Sofa oder Bett für einen sauberen Boden sorgen. Insgesamt sind bei dem innovativen Saug- und Wischroboter alle Komponenten auf wenig Raum verbaut: Mechanik, Technik, Staubbehälter (400ml), Wassertank (110ml) sowie Akku-Technologie des Roboters finden auf 350/350/98 Millimeter Platz.
Der Robot Vacuum T1 ist ab sofort bei cyberport erhältlich.
Roboter Monty ist ein wahrer Balancierkünstler: Problemlos läuft der kleine Balancier-Roboter auf einem schmalen Seil, ebenen Flächen oder einem Finger entlang! Sein Geheimnis: ein Kreiselinstrument – auch Gyroskop genannt – das sich in seinem Kopf rasend schnell dreht. So bleibt Monty immer im Gleichgewicht. Spielerisch lernen Kinder ab sechs Jahren so physikalische Grundsätze kennen.
Kinder bauen den Balancier-Roboter Monty und den mitgelieferten Balancierrahmen aus den KOSMOS Systembauteilen selbständig zusammen. Mit Hilfe der farbig illustrierten Anleitung ist der Aufbau ein Kinderspiel und in wenigen Minuten erledigt. Auf den Nachgehaktseiten finden die jungen Forscher spannende Versuche zu dem Gyroskop in Montys Kopf und erfahren mehr darüber, wo die Gyro-Technik im Alltag eingesetzt wird. Außerdem erweckt ein spannendes Comic-Abenteuer den kleinen Roboter zum Leben. Mit seinen verblüffenden Fähigkeiten bietet Monty einen spannenden Einstieg in das Thema Robotik und Physik.
Inhalt: Roboter aus Kosmos-Systembauteilen, im Kopf des Roboters eingebautes Gyroskop, Motor, Balancierseil, Balancierrahmen aus Kosmos-Systembauteilen, Sticker-Set zum Bekleben, Anleitung (20 Seiten)
Präzision und Schnelligkeit Mit Experimentierkasten Roboter-Arm selbst bauen und steuern
Der Roboter-Arm schwirrt durch die Luft, greift nach einem Bauteil, setzt dieses exakt ab – und wieder geht’s von vorne los. Die Präzision und Schnelligkeit sind beeindruckend – auch in der Miniatur im Kinderzimmer. Mit dem neuen KOSMOS Experimentierkasten Robotor-Arm können Nachwuchsingenieure ab zehn Jahren ihren eigenen Robotor-Arm zusammenbauen und steuern.
Die anschauliche Anleitung beschreibt Schritt für Schritt wie aus dem Modellbausatz Achsen, Motoren und Greifer entstehen. Ganz ohne Klebstoff werden die Kunststoffelemente gesteckt, geklickt oder geschraubt. Geschafft! Im zweiten Schritt entsteht aus den Elektronikbauteilen und der Steuerplatine der Controller. Damit lassen sich die Achsen und Motoren millimetergenau steuern und die LED im Greifarm schalten. Jetzt ist es an der Zeit, den Roboter in Betrieb zu nehmen. Die Anleitung beschreibt alle möglichen Bewegungen, die der RoboterArm ausführen kann – aber auch, welche Fehlerquellen auftreten könnten.
Wer hätte gedacht, dass es so einfach ist, seinen eigenen Roboter zu erschaffen? Denn der intelligente, sechsbeinige Roboter Chipz wird selbständig von jungen Nachswuchsforschern zusammengebaut – und bietet dann zahlreiche Interaktionsmöglichkeiten. Zwei unterschiedliche Bewegungsmodi sowie Licht- und Soundeffekte machen Chipz zu einem sympathischen elektronischen Begleiter, mit dem Kinder spielerisch MINTThemen entdecken. Chipz kann sich auf seinen sechs Beinen selbständig im Raum fortbewegen. Wie das funktioniert? Im „Follow-me-Modus“ erkennt der Roboter durch seine InfarotSensoren Objekte, denen er folgt. Stellt man auf den Modus „Explore“ um, helfen Chipz Sensoren bei der Hindernis-Erkennung. Dadurch kann er sich ohne Hilfe den Weg aus einem Labyrinth bahnen oder sich im Raum zurechtfinden, ohne anzustoßen. Durch blinkende LED-Augen und Sound-Effekte kommuniziert der Roboter mit seinem Besitzer und macht auf sich aufmerksam. Zusätzlich erweckt die enthaltene Comic-Geschichte Chipz zum Leben. Selbstverständlich muss der Roboter zuerst noch zusammengebaut werden, was ein wenig motorisches Geschick erfordert und trainiert. Doch mithilfe der ausführlichen Anleitung meistern Kinder ab acht Jahren den Zusammenbau problemlos und begreifen nebenbei die dahinterstehende Technik.
Material: Über 100 Teile zum Zusammenbau des Roboters, u.A. vorprogrammiertes Board mit Infrarot-Sensoren und zwei Elektromotoren. Inkl. kleinem Kreizschlitz-Schraubendreher. 4 AAA-Batterien sowie eine Schere oder Zange werden zusätzlich benötigt.
Delta is first airline to explore first-of-its-kind wearable robotic exoskeleton to bolster employee strength and safety
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2020 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is partnering with Sarcos Robotics to explore new employee technology fit for a superhero – a mobile and dexterous exoskeleton designed to boost employees’ physical capabilities and bolster their safety.
The Sarcos Guardian XO Full-body, Powered Exoskeleton
Sarcos, the world’s leader in exoskeleton development, has developed the Sarcos Guardian XO, a battery-powered, full-body exoskeleton designed to boost human performance and endurance while helping to prevent injury. This robotic suit, designed for employees to wear, does the heavy lifting. By bearing the weight of the suit and the payload, the exoskeleton may enable an employee to lift up to 200 pounds repeatedly for up to eight hours at a time without strain or fatigue.
“We owe it to the best airline employees on the planet to explore how emerging technology can make their jobs safer and easier,” said Gareth Joyce, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Airport Customer Service & Cargo. “That’s why we sought out a partnership with Sarcos.”
Delta is the first company whose frontline employees have worked directly with Sarcos to determine potential operational uses for the Guardian XO. In November, Delta people representing Airport Customer Service and Cargo visited the Sarcos headquarters to see it in action and explore how wearable robotics could potentially benefit them in their everyday work.
The Guardian XO is designed for use in industries where lifting and manipulation of heavy materials or awkward objects is required and isn’t easily handled by standard lift equipment. Potential uses at Delta could include handling freight at Delta Cargo warehouses, moving maintenance components at Delta TechOps or lifting heavy machinery and parts for ground support equipment.
Exploring how advanced tools and tech can better support employees is one way Delta aims to improve workplace safety while extending its industry lead in operational performance for customers.
Delta plans to test the technology in a pilot location during the first quarter of 2020, giving employees the opportunity to experience the tech in a real-world setting and provide additional feedback on its functionality. Watch Delta employees exploring Sarcos exoskeleton technology.
In addition to enabling superhuman strength for extended periods, the robotic suit may also level the playing field in terms of physical capacity. Roles that have historically been limited to those who meet specific strength requirements could potentially be performed by a more diverse talent pool, thanks to wearable robotics.
Ben Wolff, Sarcos CEO, said, “We look for companies who are clear leaders in tech adoption and have a history of innovating to meet the needs of their customers and their employees. Delta is the natural fit in the airline industry and has proven to be a great partner as we work to fine-tune this technology for commercial deployment.”
Delta first started working with Sarcos in 2018 as part of its “X-TAG”, or exoskeleton technical advisory group, representing the aviation sector. This council includes ten of the Fortune 100 across a variety of industries, including industrial manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, logistics, construction, automotive, aviation, and aerospace.
At CES and want to see the Guardian XO for yourself? Stop by Delta’s booth (#14035) in Central Hall where attendees can get first-hand experience with the technology.
About the Guardian XO The Sarcos Guardian XO exoskeleton represents the next step in the evolution of high-performance, highly dexterous, mobile robots that augment human performance. Sarcos Robotics is the first and only company in the world to produce a full-body, powered robotic exoskeleton that increases strength and endurance. The Guardian XO exoskeleton enables the operator to perform hours of physical activity that would otherwise be impossible for a single human to perform.
Because the Guardian XO exoskeleton supports natural, fluid, and intuitive movement, it requires relatively minimal operator training. A Guardian XO exoskeleton is capable of repeatedly lifting and supporting up to 200 pounds without fatigue or strain. The human operator bears none of the load of the exoskeleton, and only that portion of the payload that is necessary to enable the operator to understand that weight is being lifted. The Guardian XO exoskeleton can be donned and doffed in just 30 seconds.
Sarcos is now accepting orders for the Guardian XO exoskeleton and will deliver commercial production units in late 2020. For more information about Sarcos, the Guardian XO, and its other safety and productivity-enhancing robots, visit https://www.sarcos.com/company/.
About Sarcos Robotics Sarcos Robotics is the world’s leader in industrial robotic systems that augment human performance by combining human intelligence, instinct, and judgment with the strength, endurance, and precision of machines to enhance employee safety and productivity. Leveraging more than 25 years of research and development, Sarcos’ mobile robotic systems, including the Guardian® S, Guardian® GT, and Guardian® XO®, are revolutionizing the future of work wherever physically demanding work is done. Formerly the robotics division of a major defense contractor, Sarcos is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, powered by an innovative team of entrepreneurs and engineers, and backed by Caterpillar, GE Ventures, Microsoft, and Schlumberger. For more information please visit www.sarcos.com.
About Delta Delta is the U.S. global airline leader in products, services, innovation, reliability and customer experience. Powered by its 80,000 people around the world, the airline serves nearly 200 million people every year on more than 5,000 daily departures across its industry-leading global network to more than 300 destinations in over 50 countries. Over the past several years, Delta has led the airline industry in transforming the customer experience by introducing the first end-to-end biometric terminal in the US at Atlanta‘s international airport, real-time RFID bag tracking and automatic check-in via the Fly Delta mobile app, an alliance that will empower customers with seamless in-cabin connectivity experience, more efficient and high-tech automated screening lanes, and a groundbreaking app that helps Delta pilots avoid turbulence for a more comfortable flight. The global airline is also empowering its employees – Delta’s greatest competitive advantage – by arming them with handheld platforms that allow for more personalized service delivery and more meaningful interactions – not just transactions – with customers. All of this has resulted in Delta being named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies Worldwide two consecutive years, and Fortune’s Most Admired Airline for eight of the past nine years.
In development for over 3 years, Norby is an interactive learning companion for kids aged 5+. He teaches English, Math & Coding through stories, games & puzzles.
Norby helps build confidence through positive feedback and encouragement whilst keeping kids emotionally engaged in learning. He delivers new content every week, lessons that are built to establish the fundamentals today while preparing kids for tomorrow. His intelligence software is constantly adapting to the child’s interests and his lessons are all guided and self-paced. So kids feel comfortable and not under pressure.
Norby is currently available for pre-order and due to be released in late 2020.
Norby’s Specifications
Norby’s more than just a cute face, he’s got some fancy hardware under the hood too
