Interview with Jerry Tan: Service robotic improvement for training

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@Residence Training initiative, supporting faculties and establishments in introducing AI and repair robotic improvement to college students. Their purpose is to equip learners with sensible AI software expertise in laptop imaginative and prescient, autonomous navigation, object manipulation and speech interactions.

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

Andrea: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. It’s a pleasure to satisfy you. May 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 through 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, we have now microphones and audio system for speech interplay, together with robotic arms for object manipulation and cell platforms for navigation.

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

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

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

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

AI studying machine, Juno2.

Andrea: How do you’re employed with faculties?

Jerry: We’re an training resolution supplier, supporting faculties 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 inexperienced persons. Then utilizing a train-the-trainers method, we provide 3-day AI robotics workshops utilizing Jupiter2 or 2-day AI functions workshops utilizing Juno2. Via these workshops, educators are given an summary 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 possibly can join through a distant desktop software program out of your laptop and proceed programming. As talked about simply now, we even have a smaller machine referred to as Juno2, designed for classroom use. You don’t want the total robotic setup on this case; you should use this machine to do laptop imaginative and prescient and speech interactions functions. It’s a plug-and-play resolution that works with any laptop computer or working system, robotically 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 house or wherever they’re.

Andrea: When you have a robotic like this, can further parts, like audio system, be added to your robots?

Jerry: Sure, positively. That’s a great query. Jupiter2 is an open platform that’s
customisable and reconfigurable. When you have an engineering background, you possibly can modify the {hardware} primarily based on the necessities. This flexibility permits each inexperienced persons and superior customers to give attention to 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, we have now exported to Europe, Africa, South and North America earlier than. To this point there are greater than 30 over faculties, universities and establishments globally which have adopted our studying platforms for training, coaching, analysis and/or robotic competitions.

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

You 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 at the moment operating the AI robotics training and coaching firms in Malaysia and Singapore. Striving to empower anybody in getting began to study AI functions virtually, Jerry works carefully with faculties and educational establishments in organising laboratories and growing courseware.