Robots Invade HOM Library

By Tanjua Damon

“I-am-a-great-match-for humans. Goodbye-for-now. Have-a-great-day!”

Chores could be a little easier for some Head O’ Meadow fourth graders if only they could have a robot at home. The students were able to see firsthand how technology works in a mechanical body last week.

Tom Swenson of MobileEd Productions brought various types of robotic machines to the school to give the students a lesson in technology and to show them what the future holds with robots.

“This program gives students a concrete understanding of technology,” Mr Swenson said. “They see how the future is based on technology.”

RC, the first robot Mr Swenson showed the students, spat on them. Not real spit, water of course. Then Mr Swenson told the robot’s secret.

“RC is fake. These things aren’t robots because it doesn’t do work on its own,” Mr Swenson told the crowd of students. “A machine that does work on its own is a robot. It needs memory, a system to do things on their own.”

“You-gave-my-secret-away,” RC said. “I-wanted-them-to-know-I-was-a-real-robot. I-think-I-will-go-over-in-the-corner-and-pout.”

Robots have been used in industry mainly, according to Mr Swenson. Movies like Jurassic Park used robots when creating dinosaurs.

“We use robots because of precision,” he said. “They do the same motion over and over again. They can make almost anything. There are some exciting, exciting jobs in technology.”

Junior, another robot that has a computer program to tell him what to do, played a guessing game with students. He would ask the students a question about an animal. When he asked a question that related to the animal, the students would clap. If he did not ask a correct question they would be silent.

Hero 2000 will be a robot that people will see in homes and businesses, according to Mr Swenson. They will be service robots.

“This will be the first kind of robot you will bump into,” he said. “It is friendly and interactive with a working technology. Connecticut is the leader in making service robots in hospitals.”

This educational outreach program provides additional instruction to students outside what they receive in the classroom. After Mr Swenson’s presentation students were able to participate in hands-on activities using computers and robots.

“It’s a blast. I really enjoy working with children,” Mr Swenson said. “It leaves a lasting impression on them. It’s great.”