Interview with Jerry Tan: Service robotic growth 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 intently with the RoboCup@House Training initiative, supporting faculties and establishments in introducing AI and repair robotic growth to college students. Their aim is to equip learners with sensible AI software expertise in laptop imaginative and prescient, autonomous navigation, object manipulation and speech interactions.

By way of their AI robotics and AI functions workshops, Lattel Robotics affords an introduction to robotic working system (ROS)-based AI functions growth in service robotics. As a {hardware} companion for the RoboCup@House Training initiative, they help faculties and establishments in competing in AI robotic challenges by growing functions that tackle 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 satisfy 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 growth, 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 variety of sensors, together with RGB-D cameras and LIDAR sensors for depth notion. In addition to, now we have microphones and audio system for speech interplay, together with robotic arms for object manipulation and cell platforms for navigation.

Andrea: So, I’ve a bit query about this. Do you’ve an API (Utility Programming Interface) that college students and researchers can work via?

Jerry: It’s not all the time essential, because the robotic is supplied with its personal laptop computer, performing 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 widespread instruments amongst AI researchers and builders.

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

Jerry: The robotic platform is already built-in and able to be deployed. For our AI studying system, Juno2, all it’s good 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) setting with ROS, with none software program set up.

AI studying system, Juno2.

Andrea: How do you’re employed with faculties?

Jerry: We’re an training answer 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 growth. So we offer Python introduction workshop for full freshmen. Then utilizing a train-the-trainers method, we provide 3-day AI robotics workshops utilizing Jupiter2 or 2-day AI functions workshops utilizing Juno2. By way of 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 may join by way of a distant desktop software program out of your laptop and proceed programming. As talked about simply now, we even have a smaller system known as Juno2, designed for classroom use. You don’t want the complete robotic setup on this case; you should utilize this system to do laptop imaginative and prescient and speech interactions functions. It’s a plug-and-play answer that works with any laptop computer or working system, routinely loading Ubuntu, ROS and our Jupiter software program growth frameworks. It’s good for conducting on-line lessons, as college students can proceed studying from residence or wherever they’re.

Andrea: If in case you have a robotic like this, can extra parts, like audio system, be added to your robots?

Jerry: Sure, undoubtedly. That’s a very good query. Jupiter2 is an open platform that’s
customisable and reconfigurable. If in case you have an engineering background, you possibly can modify the {hardware} primarily based on the necessities. This flexibility permits each freshmen and superior customers to deal with 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. 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: Improbable, thanks in your time and insights. I want you continued success sooner or later!

Yow will discover extra data 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 firms in Malaysia and Singapore. Striving to empower anybody in getting began to be taught AI functions virtually, Jerry works intently with faculties and educational establishments in establishing laboratories and growing courseware.