West Virginia University
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Senior Design – Fall 2012
Individual Research
TEAM 2: Team Robo Cat
Anthony Shillingburg
FACULTY MENTOR/SPONSOR: Dr. Powsiri Klinkhachorn
INSTRUCTOR: Yenumula V Reddy
INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH
November 12, 2012
Table of Contents
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Problem Statement.................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1. Needs .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Ranking of Needs .................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Background ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Care ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Home Security ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Autonomous Robots ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Objectives.................................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4. Objective Tree .......................................................................................................................................... 7
Works Cited .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
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November 12, 2012
Abstract
Robo Cat seeks to address the need of a home monitoring system, especially where
disabled and elderly are concerned. An autonomous monitoring system allows caregivers an
additional degree of freedom from their duties as caregivers. Not only will our system address
the need for a nanny or babysitter, it will allow an extra degree of home security through a live
video feed.
In recent years, many technologies have arisen for the aide of child care, such as baby
monitors and nanny cams. More sophisticated baby monitors now transmit video feeds as well as
audio. From castle walls and moats to a simple system of bells and strings, security systems have
advanced to complicated and complex systems that control appliances and locks, monitor
windows and doors, and record video of the home.
Robots have been around since the Han dynasty, around 200-300BC, when Chinese
craftsmen built a mechanical orchestra. The first modern robot, Unimate, was built in 1954 and
became the first industrial robot for General Motors (Robots and Androids). Robots continue to
be a vital part of today’s industry
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Problem Statement
Needs
The need for elderly and disabled care is ever present in today’s society. According to the
2010 Census, the total population in America was over 300 million people. Over 56 thousand
have a disability, and 38 thousand of those have a severe disability. Nearly 40 thousand people
are 65 years and older. Of those, 14 thousand have a severe disability out of 19 thousand total
disabled (Brault, Howden and Meyer). Sixty percent of caregivers of children report that their
care giving limits the amount of time they spend with other family and friends. One in three
caregivers of children has sought financial assistance on behalf of the child (Caregivers of
Children: A Focused Look at Those Caring for a Child with Special Needs Under the Age of 18).
According to the Department of Justice, babysitters are responsible for 4.2% of all
offenses against children under the age of 6 (Finkelhor and Ormrod). Although this number is
low, parents still maintain a fear of not knowing the babysitter. In this report, the term
“babysitter” includes close friends and family members. With the use of Robo Cat’s system,
parents can monitor their babysitters and/or nannies with peace of mind.
In the sense of home security, users have the ability to view their home. Although the
system will not allow any functions, it allows an inside view of the home. This will allow the
user to check for unlocked doors and/or windows, which contribute to 30% of all burglaries
(Safe Guard the World). The user may also use the system to check for left on lights, appliances,
or water faucets.
The system will provide outreach for the WVU Robotics Club. The Robotics Club will
use our system to demonstrate at outreach events. With this sytem, the audience will be able to
use and control the robot. For aesthetic appeal, the robot will be made to resemble the popular
Star Wars robot R2D2.
Ranking of Needs
The primary goal of this system will be to track a subject reliably. First and foremost, the
system will have a functional robot. Secondly, the system will include an image processing
camera used to track a subject. Thirdly, it shall include an IP Camera that will allow a web
application the ability to view the video feed. Lastly, the robot shall take controls from said web
application in order to allow manual control to the user.
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Background
Care
The term “babysitter” was first used in 1914 (Dictionary), and typically refers to a
teenager, usually a teenage girl. However, the term “nanny” has been around since 1795, and
implies that some qualifications of child care have been obtained.. Another term commonly used
is “childminder,” which usually implies that the employee owns their own business in child care.
All of these terms refer to the same basic job: hired help to watch over and/or take care of
children. Some nannies live-in with the family, and therefore the parents are usually around.
However, babysitters are more typically hired when the parents are away, for meetings, work, or
just a night of peace and quiet.
In recent years, many technologies have arisen for the aide of child care, such as baby
monitors and nanny cams. Baby monitors are designed to be used from across a house and
transmit audio. More sophisticated baby monitors now transmit video feeds as well as audio.
Nanny cams are designed to be hidden; their purpose is to catch the nanny or babysitter abusing
the child. Nanny cams provide a peace of mind to the parent(s) that the babysitter they hired is
performing his or her job and not damaging their children.
Home Security
Home security systems have been in place ever since people have lived in homes. From
castle walls and moats to a simple system of bells and strings, security has advanced to
complicated systems that control appliances and locks, monitor windows and doors, and record
video of the home. Each year, 200,000 home burglaries are reported and police are only able to
clear 13% of burglaries due to lack of witnesses and evidence (Safe Guard the World). One of
the biggest factors that security systems provide is peace of mind. A fancy security system with
bells and whistles is over kill when all that the homeowner needs is to know that the door is
locked.
Autonomous Robots
An autonomous robot is a robot that can act on its own, without any controller (Harris).
Robots themselves have been around since the Han dynasty, around 200-300BC, when Chinese
craftsmen built a mechanical orchestra. Not too long afterwards, the ancient Greeks built a
mechanical steam-operated pigeon. Much later, in 1206AD, Muslim scientist Al-Jazari built a
system of several automated machines containing of musicians in a boat to entertain royals at
parties (Robots and Androids).
The first modern robot, Unimate, was built in 1954. 7 years later, Unimate became the
first industrial robot to work in a General Motors plant, performing welding on auto bodies
(Robots and Androids). Within 60 years of the first modern robot, the Navy is developing a robot
that will fight fires on ships (InnovationNewsDaily Staff). Also, MIT has developed an airplane
that can detect objects and adjust mid-flight (Emspak).
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Objectives
Team Robo Cat will attempt to fulfill the needs outlined in the Problem Statement. In
order to do so, the project will consist of two main parts. The first part of the project will consist
of the robot itself. The second part will be the web application used to view the video feed and
control the robot.
The robot will be used by the WVU Robotics Club for outreach and demonstrations.
Because of this factor, it has been decided that the design will be modeled after the infamous Star
Wars companion R2D2. The shell of the robot will be made of fiberglass and is being formed
and designed by Christopher Tingley, a College of Creative Arts, School of Arts and Sciences
student.
The robot will be built within the R2D2 designed shell. Essentially, the robot will be an
oversized RC car with a Wi-Fi remote control. The robot will consist of two cameras. The first
camera will be an image processing camera created by Carnegie Mellon University. This camera
will process the current image and will send three-dimensional coordinates to the robots
processing unit. The processing unit will then determine where and how to follow the subject to
be tracked.
The robot’s microcontroller, which will control the actual movements of the robot, will
be connected to a wireless router. This router will connect to the user’s home internet connection
in order to communicate with the web application. The web application will be designed and
hosted on WVU Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering’s (LCSEE)
servers. Since the robot will be used by the WVU Robotics Club, this web space will remain on
LCSEE’s servers.
The web application will be designed to work on both desktop and mobile browsers in
order to accommodate all users. The web application will have two options. The first option will
be to configure settings. From this menu, the user will have the option to put the robot into
autonomous mode or manual mode. If manual mode is chosen, the user will manually control the
robot from a menu in the web application.
If the user wishes to set the robot into autonomous mode, the user will have to select a
subject, or a color, for the robot to track. Once set in this mode, the manual controls will be
disabled and the user will only see the video feed. The robot will then takes control of itself and
begin tracking the specified color. If the user chooses a color that is not in the robots vision, the
robot shall navigate in order to search for the specified color. If the robot does not find the color
within a specified time, the robot will return to its charging station without tracking.
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Objective Tree
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Works Cited
Brault, Matthew W. "Americans with Disabilities: 2010." U.S. Census Bureau, 2012. Web.
<http://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/p70-131.pdf>.
"Caregivers of Children: A Focused Look at Those Caring for a Child with Special Needs
Under the Age of 18." 2009. Web.
<http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/caregiving_09_children.pdf>.
Dictionary, Online Etymology. 2012. Web. <http://www.etymonline.com>.
Emspak, Jesse. "Autonomous Airplane Dodges Obtacles." Discovery News (2012).
<http://news.discovery.com/tech/autonomous-airplane-dodges-obtacles120813.html>.
Finkelhor, David and Richard Ormrod. "Crimes Against Children by Babysitters." Juvenile
Justice Bulletin (2001). Web. <https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/189102.pdf>.
Harris, Tom. "How Robots Work." HowStuffWorks (n.d.). Web.
<http://science.howstuffworks.com/robot4.htm>.
Howden, Lindsay M. and Julie A. Meyer. "Age and Sex Composition: 2010." 2010 Census
Briefs. U.S. Census Bureau , 2011. Web.
<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-03.pdf>.
InnovationNewsDaily Staff. "Robot Firefighter to Throw Extinguisher Grenades: Big Pic."
Discovery News (2012). <http://news.discovery.com/tech/firefighting-robot120308.html>.
Robots and Androids. "History of Robots." (2010). Web. <http://www.robots-andandroids.com/history-of-robots.html>.
Safe Guard the World. "Security Statistics." 2010. Web.
<http://www.safeguardtheworld.com/statistics.html>.
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