Computer Science Project Abstract
A CHANGE IN TRADITION: INTELLIGENT ASSIST DEVICES AND THEIR BUTTON AND LIGHT SCHEMES
Presenter:
Poonam Khatri, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506
Mentor:
Michael Peshkin, Professor, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208
Abstract:
Robots are used in factories across the nation to help improve manufacturing productivity. Unfortunately, sometimes workers are laid off when robots replace them. This leads to an ethical dilemma. Intelligent Assist Devices (IADs) help solve this dilemma. IADs work with people, as opposed to replacing them. Because these devices are not sensitive to humans, good communication between the IAD and the operator is vital to maintaining safety. IADs have lights that are used to alert the user as to what mode it is in and buttons that allow the user to control its behavior. The scheme of these buttons and lights, however, is under debate at the moment. The purpose of this experiment is to address the issues of safety and efficiency related the button-light schemes of IADs. A program was created in Matlab which mimicked the schematic design of current intelligent devices. A user-friendly schematic design was also created in Matlab which is hypothesized to increase efficiency. These schemes were also programmed in C++ to increase programming knowledge. The C++ version was then tested on 8 random students at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. The number of errors was recorded, compared, and a conclusion was reached.