Making High-Performance Robots Safe and Easy to Use for an Introduction to Computing

TL;DR

This paper introduces a safe, accessible platform for novice programmers to control high-performance robots using simplified JavaScript, reducing complexity and enhancing learning in robotics and AI.

Contribution

It presents a novel platform that enables safe, browser-based programming of high-performance robots with simplified language semantics for educational purposes.

Findings

Students successfully used the platform in a workshop setting.

Analysis of 3,000 program revisions shows improved programming skills.

The approach enhances safety and ease of use for robot programming.

Abstract

Robots are a popular platform for introducing computing and artificial intelligence to novice programmers. However, programming state-of-the-art robots is very challenging, and requires knowledge of concurrency, operation safety, and software engineering skills, which can take years to teach. In this paper, we present an approach to introducing computing that allows students to safely and easily program high-performance robots. We develop a platform for students to program RoboCup Small Size League robots using JavaScript. The platform 1) ensures physical safety at several levels of abstraction, 2) allows students to program robots using the JavaScript in the browser, without the need to install software, and 3) presents a simplified JavaScript semantics that shields students from confusing language features. We discuss our experience running a week-long workshop using this platform, and analyze over 3,000 student-written program revisions to provide empirical evidence that our approach does help students.