1st Edition

Robot Development Using Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio

    288 Pages 579 B/W Illustrations
    by Chapman & Hall

    288 Pages 579 B/W Illustrations
    by Chapman & Hall

    The Microsoft® Robotics Developer Studio (MSRDS) and LEGO® robots together offer a flexible platform for creating robotic systems. Designed for novices with basic programming skills, Robot Development Using Microsoft® Robotics Developer Studio provides clear instructions on developing and operating robots. It includes an extensive array of examples, with corresponding step-by-step tutorials and explanations.

    The first several chapters of the book introduce the development environment of MSRDS, including concurrency and coordination runtime (CCR), decentralized software services (DSS), visual simulation environment (VSE), and the Microsoft Visual Programming Language (MVPL). The text then covers the inputs and outputs to the robot and control logic and describes how MSRDS can be used to control a LEGO robot’s hearing and vision. It also presents a real-life example involving a sumo robot contest. The final chapter provides information on related academic courses, websites, and books.

    The top-down approach used in this text helps readers think of a robot as a system rather than an assemblage of parts. Readers gain an understanding of methods for integration, design trade-offs, and teamwork—all essential skills for building robots. The MSRDS codes for all examples are available at http://msrds.caece.net/

    Challenges and Solutions in Robotics
    Research Challenges: Moving from Industrial-Type to Service-Type Robots
    Challenges in the Software Platform for Service Robots
    Educational Challenges in the Development of Service Robots
    Top-Down Learning Strategy
    Using LEGO Mindstorms Education NXT Base Set Robots and MSRDS
    Book Structure

    Microsoft Robotics Development Platform
    Origins of Development
    Concurrency and Coordination Runtime (CCR)
    Decentralized Software Services (DSS)
    Visual Simulation Environment (VSE)
    Microsoft Visual Programming Language (MVPL)
    System Requirements
    Installation
    MSRDS Program List

    Microsoft Visual Programming Language
    Overview
    MVPL Programming Environment
    Basic Activities and Services Component
    Basic Process Control in a Program
    Concurrent Program Control
    Creating a Custom Service Component
    Exercises

    Visual Simulation Environment
    Overview
    Robot Simulation
    Using MVPL to Control the Simulated LEGO Robot
    Scene Setup
    Creating a Simulated Custom Robot in VSE
    Exercises

    Robot I/O Unit
    Overview
    Bluetooth Module
    Sensor and Motor
    Exercises

    Robot Motion Behavior
    Overview
    Manifest
    Autonomous Motion Robot Programming
    Exercises

    Controlling the Robot through Sounds
    Overview
    Sound Sensor
    Voice Control
    Exercises

    Robot Vision
    Overview
    Robot Visual Recognition Example
    Exercises

    A Real Application—Sumo Robot Contest
    Overview
    Contest Design
    Robot Design
    Contest Results

    Related Learning Resources
    Overview
    Related Course Websites
    Other Website Resources
    Related Books

    Index

    Biography

    Shih-Chung (Jessy) Kang is an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at National Taiwan University (NTU). Dr. Kang began using MSRDS on a research project in 2006 before its official launch by Microsoft and now often teaches about robotics using it. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University.

    Wei-Tze (Aries) Chang is a postdoctoral researcher at NTU. Dr. Chang is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Tamkang University. He earned his Ph.D. from NTU.

    Kai-Yuan Gu is a digital design engineer for the Mighty Power Solutions Corp., where he designs automated products for energy-saving devices and lighting. He earned a master’s degree from NTU.

    Hung-Lin Chi is a doctoral student in the Department of Civil Engineering at NTU. He is currently researching the integration of robot-sensing techniques into remote-controlled systems for cranes.

    Readers will appreciate the authors’ step-by-step approach to programming and constructing a basic robot that can interact with the world. This combination of a top-down approach and a step-by-step guide instructs the reader to take a holistic, system-based perspective rather than a traditional functional-component-based one when exploring the construction of an autonomous robot.
    —Eric W. Yocam, Computing Reviews, March 2012