Robotics from Head to Toe
From: EECS 2010 - University of Michigan - page 7

In previous work, Prof Benjamin Kuipers has shown how a robot, exploring a
large-scale environment by following control laws, can autonomously identify
“distinctive places” and use them as building blocks for a cognitive map.
Like human cognitive maps, these robots build several different kinds of
spatial representations, combining local metrical maps with global
topological maps, connected by the structure of choices provided by each
place. 

Using these methods, Kuipers and his students have created a robotic
wheelchair, which can build its own cognitive map of its environment and
serve as a mobility assistant for a human driver. The robotic wheelchair
allows the researchers to explore important questions about how the robot can
be flexible enough in understanding the human’s instruction, as well as how
autonomy can be shared between the human driver, who remains ultimately in
charge, and the robot, which must use its own knowledge to help the human
reach his or her destination. 

Links:
Benjamin Kuipers
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~kuipers/

The Intelligent Wheelchair
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~kuipers/research/wheelchair/

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Students Help the Deaf Feel the Music - page 24

A competition called Feel the Music, sponsored by the Deaf Performing Arts
Network (D-PAN) and the College of Engineering Center for Entrepreneurship,
sought solutions for a better way for the deaf and hearing-impaired
population to appreciate music. First place went to a team of five students,
which included EE and performing arts technology double major Rishi Daftuar,
who called themselves Team Thumping Threads. Their project consisted of a
specially designed vest that causes one’s spine to tingle in response to
sound waves. Second place went to a team of sophomore EE students, Ryan
Garrone, Mike Huang, and Steven Joseph, for their project Muted Music, which
consisted of an electronic glove that provided vibrations in specific
patterns based on the rhythmic pulse and musical pitch. 

Links:
EECS Students Help the Deaf  "Feel the Music"
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/eecs/about/articles/2009/Feel_The_Music.html

Feel the beat with the Thumping Thread vest
http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/archives/2296

Designer of spine-tingling vest wins Feel the Music competition
http://www.ur.umich.edu/0809/Apr13_09/35.php
http://cfe.engin.umich.edu/press/fulltext/87

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Read these entire articles at:
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/eecs/about/EECSNews/EECSNews2009.pdf