On the Worldwide Joint Convention on Synthetic Intelligence (IJCAI) 2023, I had the chance to interview Jerry Tan from Lattel Robotics, an organization devoted to selling AI-focused robotics training and coaching. They work carefully with the RoboCup@House Training initiative, supporting colleges and establishments in introducing AI and repair robotic improvement to college students. Their aim is to equip learners with sensible AI utility expertise in pc imaginative and prescient, autonomous navigation, object manipulation and speech interactions.

Via their AI robotics and AI functions workshops, Lattel Robotics affords an introduction to robotic working system (ROS)-based AI functions improvement in service robotics. As a {hardware} accomplice for the RoboCup@House Training initiative, they help colleges and establishments in competing in AI robotic challenges by growing functions that deal with real-world issues. Their AI studying options embrace establishing AI laboratories, designing curriculums and growing courseware.

Andrea: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. It’s a pleasure to fulfill you. Might you please inform me extra about who can profit from the Jupiter2 platform, and what precisely it’s designed to do?

Jerry: Nearly anybody can use it with a programming background to get began to develop their very own AI functions by way of service robotic improvement, utilizing open supply software program.

Andrea: What sort of sensors do your robots use? Simply microphones and cameras, or is there extra?

Jerry: Sure, so we use a spread of sensors, together with RGB-D cameras and LIDAR sensors for depth notion. Moreover, now we have microphones and audio system for speech interplay, together with robotic arms for object manipulation and cellular platforms for navigation.

Andrea: So, I’ve slightly query about this. Do you have got an API (Utility Programming Interface) that college students and researchers can work by way of?

Jerry: It’s not all the time vital, because the robotic is supplied with its personal laptop computer, appearing as a central processing unit. Getting began is less complicated, as now we have built-in the {hardware} platform with open-source software program like OpenCV and YOLO, utilizing the Robotic Working System (ROS1 and ROS2). These are well-liked instruments amongst AI researchers and builders.

Andrea: It sounds intriguing, however the setup course of appears sophisticated. Integration typically takes time.

Jerry: The robotic platform is already built-in and able to be deployed. For our AI studying system, Juno2, all you have to do is to attach it to a laptop computer by way of a USB port and you’ll immediately boot up the Linux (Ubuntu) surroundings with ROS, with none software program set up.

AI studying system, Juno2.

Andrea: How do you’re employed with colleges?

Jerry: We’re an training answer supplier, supporting colleges and establishments that wish to introduce sensible AI functions studying in a classroom. Programming expertise in Python or C++ is a prerequisite in doing AI functions improvement. So we offer Python introduction workshop for full newcomers. Then utilizing a train-the-trainers strategy, we provide 3-day AI robotics workshops utilizing Jupiter2 or 2-day AI functions workshops utilizing Juno2. Via these workshops, educators are given an outline of the AI functions modules which might allow them to customize the fabric accordingly for training, coaching and even analysis functions.

Andrea: What if somebody doesn’t have direct entry to the robotic? Can they work remotely?

Jerry: Completely. You may join by way of a distant desktop software program out of your pc and proceed programming. As talked about simply now, we even have a smaller system referred to as Juno2, designed for classroom use. You don’t want the complete robotic setup on this case; you need to use this system to do pc imaginative and prescient and speech interactions functions. It’s a plug-and-play answer that works with any laptop computer or working system, mechanically loading Ubuntu, ROS and our Jupiter software program improvement frameworks. It’s good for conducting on-line lessons, as college students can proceed studying from dwelling or wherever they’re.

Andrea: In case you have a robotic like this, can further elements, like audio system, be added to your robots?

Jerry: Sure, undoubtedly. That’s a great query. Jupiter2 is an open platform that’s
customisable and reconfigurable. In case you have an engineering background, you possibly can modify the {hardware} based mostly on the necessities. This flexibility permits each newcomers and superior customers to concentrate on their particular areas of curiosity, whether or not it’s software program programming or {hardware} customisation.

Andrea: Have you ever exported these devices earlier than?

Jerry: Sure, now we have exported to Europe, Africa, South and North America earlier than. Thus far there are greater than 30 over colleges, universities and establishments globally which have adopted our studying platforms for training, coaching, analysis and/or robotic competitions.

Andrea: Improbable, thanks to your time and insights. I want you continued success sooner or later!

Yow will discover extra info on the Lattel Robotics web site.

Jerry Tan is the Managing Director of Lattel Robotics. A German-trained engineer turned entrepreneur, Jerry is presently operating the AI robotics training and coaching corporations in Malaysia and Singapore. Striving to empower anybody in getting began to study AI functions virtually, Jerry works carefully with colleges and educational establishments in establishing laboratories and growing courseware.