Social Robotics in Education: A Survey on Recent Studies and Applications [Scholarly Article - iJET, February 2023]

Title:

Social Robotics in Education: A Survey on Recent Studies and Applications 

 

Authors:

Karim Youssef 

American University of the Middle East, Kuwait 

 

Sherif Said 

American University of the Middle East, Kuwait 

 

Samer Alkork 

American University of the Middle East, Kuwait

&

Taha Beyrouthy 

American University of the Middle East, Kuwait

 

Published:

International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15 February 2023

https://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jet/article/view/33529

 

Abstract:

Over the last years, social robots have been conceived to be used in various domains and for different purposes. This paper presents a survey on different applications and aspects of social robots in education. Different contexts are seen, ranging from children education, until higher education. A variety of applications and studies are reported, in areas like as second language tutoring, teaching assistance, and storytelling. Robotic platforms used in these applications are observed, and means of evaluation of users perception of robots are presented. 

 

University of Glasgow (UofG), Scotland - UofG researchers to power wireless 'microbot' in the brain

Title:

UofG researchers to power wireless 'microbot' in the brain

Published:

University of Glasgow, 13 February 2023

https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_915584_en.html

From the article:

University of Glasgow researchers are part of a new project which is setting out to develop tiny injectable robots capable of predicting and mitigating epileptic seizures.   

 

The project, called CROSSBRAIN, is led by Tor Vergata University of Rome in Italy and is funded by the European Innovation Council.

 

Fourth industrial revolution—a review of applications, prospects, and challenges for artificial intelligence, robotics and blockchain in higher education [Scholarly Article - RPTEL, 2022]

Title:

Fourth industrial revolution—a review of applications, prospects, and challenges for artificial intelligence, robotics and blockchain in higher education

 

Author:

Chaka Chaka

 

Published:

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 30 August 2022

https://rptel.apsce.net/index.php/RPTEL/article/view/2023-18002

 

Abstract:

Much has been written about the fourth industrial revolution’s (4IR) contributions to and its impact on higher education (HE). In addition, review studies have been conducted on the contributions of 4IR technologies to and on their impact on HE. Most of these studies have reviewed single 4IR technologies in isolation as attested to by the review studies cited in the current study. Against this backdrop, the current study reviewed, discussed, and synthesized the applications, prospects, and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and blockchain at given higher education institutions (HEIs) between 2013 and 2019 as reported by 26 selected journal articles. Employing a slightly modified version of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for searching and screening, three of the findings of this study are worth mentioning. Firstly, the dominant AI technologies for learning are chatbots, and AI holds the prospect of personalized, scalable, and affordable learning. Secondly, the applications of robotics are exploratory in nature, and have a meta-teaching and a meta-learning orientation. Thirdly, some of the applications of blockchain relate to digital grading, digital credentialing and digital certification, and to real-time contracting and time stamping of learning. The implications of this review are that the three sets of technologies reviewed, have a lot applications for HE, barring the challenges that have been outlined.

 

Research Trends and Features of Robotics Studies in Educational Technology and STEM Education: Data Mining on ERIC Sample [SCHOLARLY ARTICLE - Sakarya University Journal of Education, December 2022]

Title:

Research Trends and Features of Robotics Studies in Educational Technology and STEM Education: Data Mining on ERIC Sample 

Author:

Emre Çam

 

Published:

Sakarya University Journal of Education, 12(3), 15 December 2022

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2704572

 

Abstract:

In this study, publications in ERIC about Robotics, Educational Technology in Robotics (ET-in-Robotics), and STEM in Robotics (STEM-in-Robotics) have been reached through data mining. The reached studies were analyzed in terms of their release year, titles, abstracts, and ERIC descriptions. In this process, it aimed to put forward its research trends and features. The analysis of the 1339 publications that were published between 01/01/1973 and 31/12/2021 and available in ERIC has been made by using several Python libraries. These analyses are presented in the form of tables and word clouds. The results showed that the number of publications available in ERIC was the highest between 2017 and 2021. Also, in the last five years, the number of publications available on Robotics in ERIC has gradually increased. In addition, the words "learning", "robotics", and "technology" are important for all three topics whereas the words “child”, "science", “programming” and "teacher" for ET-in-Robotics, and the words "school" and "engineering" for STEM-in-Robotics come to the fore. Moreover, the most frequently assigned descriptor by ERIC staff to these publications has been found to be "teaching methods". When evaluated in general, in the STEM-in-Robotics field, more specific topics were focused, and robotic activities are taken as a type of instructional technology while in the ET-in-Robotics field robotic activities were taken as a type of educational technology. As a result, a publication that will serve as a guide for new research in the field of robotics has been presented.

 

University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa - Meet smWoef, the University of Pretoria’s new robotic dog

Title:

Meet smWoef, the University of Pretoria’s new robotic dog

Author:

Hlengiwe Mnguni

 

Published:

University of Pretoria, 6 September 2022

https://www.up.ac.za/news/post_3099398-meet-smwoef-the-university-of-pretorias-new-robotic-dog

 

From the news article:

Professor Wynand Steyn, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering in UP’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, was the one who named smWoef. The “sm” stands for “smart” because it is a Smart Alternative Transportation Platform connected to the internet, and “woef” is the Afrikaans spelling for “woof”, the sound a dog makes, because smWoef is a four-legged robot that resembles a dog. Despite the formulation of its name, however, it is pronounced as one syllable – as if it were written as “smwoef”.

Cornell University, USA - These autonomous, wireless robots could dance on a human hair [TechCrunch, September 2022]

Title:

These autonomous, wireless robots could dance on a human hair 

Author:

Devin Coldewey

 

Published:

TechCrunch, 21 September 2022

https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/21/these-autonomous-wireless-robots-could-dance-on-a-human-hair/

 

From the article:

The competition to create ever smaller, ever better robots is a fierce one, and Cornell University is out front now with a set of bots small enough to sit on a human hair but that can move on their own using nothing but light as a power source.

 

Q&A: Marc Raibert on the Boston Dynamics AI Institute : Boston Dynamics’s founder thinks creatively with $400 million AI Institute [IEEE Spectrum, August 2022]

Title:

Q&A: Marc Raibert on the Boston Dynamics AI Institute

 

By:

Evan Ackermann

 

Published:

IEEE Spectrum, 17 August 2022

https://spectrum.ieee.org/marc-raibert-boston-dynamics-instutute

 

From the article:

Last week, Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics announced an initial investment of over US $400 million to launch the new Boston Dynamics AI Institute. The Institute was conceptualized (and will be led) by Marc Raibert, the founder of Boston Dynamics, with the goal of “solving the most important and difficult challenges facing the creation of advanced robots.” 

Sound Waves Let Researchers Build Stuff With the Force - A new acoustic levitation device is even capable of picking up and placing drops of glue [Gizmodo, August 2022]

Title:

Sound Waves Let Researchers Build Stuff With the Force

 

Author:

Andrew Liszewski

 

Published:

GIZMODO, 12 August 2022

https://gizmodo.com/siggraph-2022-sound-waves-building-levitation-acoustic-1849405023

 

From the articles:

What does the future of construction look like? Autonomous machines buzzing around a building site? Giant 3D printers extruding walls and floors? Looking forward even farther, researchers at the Public University of Navarre in Spain have been experimenting with using sound waves to make building materials simply float into position without any physical interaction required.

Note from blog owner:

A conference paper on this topic titled LeviPrint: Contactless Fabrication using Full Acoustic Trapping of Elongated Parts is available. 

The University of Sydney, Australia - University and Reach Robotics to collaborate on space robotics

Title:

University and Research Robotics to collaborate on space robotics

 

Author:

Luisa Low, Media and PR Adviser (Engineering & IT)

 

Published:

The University of Sydney, 3 August 2022

https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2022/08/03/university-and-reach-robotics-to-collaborate-on-space-robotics.html

 

From the news article:

Dr Xiaofeng Wu and his team in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering will work with Australian company Reach Robotics to develop solutions to complex space challenges.

Shapeshifting microrobots can brush and floss teeth - research at University of Pennsylvania [Phys.org, July 2022]

Title:

Shapeshifting microrobots can brush and floss teeth

 

By:

Katherine Unger Baillie

University of Pennsylvania

 

Published:

Phys.org, 5 July 2022

https://phys.org/news/2022-07-shapeshifting-microrobots-floss-teeth.html

 

From the article:

A shapeshifting robotic microswarm may one day act as a toothbrush, rinse, and dental floss in one. The technology, developed by a multidisciplinary team at the University of Pennsylvania, is poised to offer a new and automated way to perform the mundane but critical daily tasks of brushing and flossing. It's a system that could be particularly valuable for those who lack the manual dexterity to clean their teeth effectively themselves. 

 

Disrupted Lessons in Engineering Robotics: Pivoting Knowledge Transfer From Physical to Virtual Learning Environments [Scholarly Article - Journal of Science Education and Technology, June 2022]

Title:

Disrupted Lessons in Engineering Robotics: Pivoting Knowledge Transfer From Physical to Virtual Learning Environments

 

Authors:

Tanya Chichekian, Department of Pedagogy, Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke - Longueuil Campus, Sherbrooke, Canada

Joel Trudeau, Department of Physics, Dawson College, Montreal, Canada

&

Tawfiq Jawhar, Department of Computer Science (MSc in Progress), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

 

Published:

Journal of Science Education and Technology, 9 June 2022

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10956-022-09973-0

 

Abstract:

This study examined the effects of an Arduino microrobot activity on college students’ interest in robotics through three specific objectives: (1) determining how students’ conceptual understanding regarding the basics of microcomputing and computer programming changes after engaging in an engineering robotics learning module, (2) assessing the impact of these changes on students’ sense of competence in engineering robotics, and (3) explaining the role of students’ perceived knowledge transferability in the relationship between their sense of competence and changes in their interest for pursuing engineering robotics. Participants (n = 58) were recruited from two Engineering Physics courses and surveyed before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) an Arduino microcomputing learning activity. First, significant increases were reported post-activity for interest in robotics, as well as conceptual understanding of microelectronics and computer programming. Second, changes in the understanding of computer programming significantly predicted students’ sense of competence at Time 2. Finally, high and low levels of competence and perceived knowledge transferability were related to changes in students’ interest in robotics. Moreover, high levels of perceived knowledge transferability alone played an important role in students’ interest in robotics. Transferring complex engineering ideas to novel situations was beneficial regarding students’ learning gains associated with computer programming and with the Arduino microcontroller platform. An overview of the virtual lab architecture used is provided with suggested novel directions for teaching college-level courses about engineering robotics.

Tiny Robot Crab Army Could Assist With Surgeries One Day [CNET, May 2022]

Title: 

Tiny Robot Crab Army Could Assist With Surgeries One Day  

 

Author: 

Monisha Ravisetti  

 

Published: 

CNET, 26 May 2022 

https://www.cnet.com/science/biology/tiny-robot-crab-doctors-could-roam-the-human-body-one-day/  

 

From the article: 

Northwestern University researchers announced on Wednesday their quite adorable prototype of a crab-shaped mini-robot. It can run. It can jump. It's tiny enough to fit inside the "o" in this sentence.  

 

Note: 

This study was published in the journal Science Robotics. 

https://www.cnet.com/science/biology/tiny-robot-crab-doctors-could-roam-the-human-body-one-day/ 

 

IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), Denmark - Can robots help prevent anxiety attacks in children?

Title:

Can robots help prevent anxiety attacks in children?

 

Published:

IT University of Copenhagen, 26 April 2022

https://en.itu.dk/About-ITU/Press/News-from-ITU/2022/Can-robots-help-prevent-anxiety-attacks-in-children

 

From the news article:

"Morten Roed Frederiksen from Computer Science at ITU has received 1.6 million kroner from Independent Research Fund Denmark for at research project that aims to make robots better at understanding human emotion. The goal is to create technology that may help children with anxiety."

 

Verdant Robotics Unveils Farm Robot for Specialty Crops [IoT World Today, March 2022]

Title:

Verdant Robotics Unveils Farm Robot for Specialty Crops

 

Author:

John Yellig

Published:

IoT World Today, 1 March 2022

https://www.iotworldtoday.com/2022/03/01/verdant-robotics-unveils-farm-robot-for-specialty-crops/

From the article:

Hayward, Calif.-based Verdant Robotics officially rolled out its multi-function autonomous farm robot that backers expect will take an increasingly large bite out of the multibillion-dollar fruit and vegetable industry. 

Leverage these newest robots from digital sphere to ease the lives of humans in 2022 [Analytics Insight, 2022]

Title:

Leverage these newest robots from digital sphere to ease the lives of humans in 2022

 

Author:

Disha Sinha

 

Published:

Analytics Insight, 8 March 2022

https://www.analyticsinsight.net/top-10-newest-robots-rocking-the-digital-sphere-in-2022/

From the article:

Robots are fast transforming the days of our lives with smart functionalities and protection capabilities. Tech-driven countries are focused on manufacturing different kinds of robots for industrial use, personal use, household use, business use, and many more. The global robotics market size is expected to hit US$189.36 billion in 2027 with a CAGR of 13.5%. The digital sphere is full of new inventions for robotics in Industry 4.0 and transforms the workforce. There are multiple modern robots in digital world.

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel - You're Doing it Wrong: You Need to Compare Apples to Oranges

Title: 

You're Doing it Wrong: You Need to Compare Apples to Oranges  

 

Published: 

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 15 March 2022 

https://in.bgu.ac.il/en/pages/news/apples_oranges.aspx   

 

From the article: 

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers argue in a new paper that previous tests of virtual reality versus social robots for cognitive training compare apples to apples when they really need to be comparing apples to oranges.   

 

"Until now, most studies compared a physical robot to a virtual reality robot, so it was no surprise that the participants overwhelmingly favored the physical robot. However, to truly assess their effectiveness, a socially adaptive robot needs to be compared to immersive virtual reality," explains lead researcher Prof. Shelly Levy-Tzedek. 

 

Research led by University of Bath, United Kingdom - The next generation of robots will be shape-shifters

Title:

The next generation of robots will be shape-shifters

 

By:

University of Bath, United Kingdom 

Published:

ScienceDaily, 11 March 2022

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220311141417.htm

 

From the article:

Physicists have discovered a new way to coat soft robots in materials that allow them to move and function in a more purposeful way. The research, led by the UK's University of Bath, is described today in Science Advances.

 

Researchers Create Biogel Enabling 3D-Printed Recyclable Robots [Siliconrepublic, February 2022]

Title:

Researchers Create Biogel Enabling 3D-Printed Recyclable Robots 

 

Author:

Leigh Mc Gowran

 

Published:

Siliconrepublic, 9 February 2022

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/research-biogel-3d-printing-soft-robots-sustainability

 

From the article: 

The researchers said they can 3D print soft robots that can be reprinted five times using a biodegradable gel. Researchers at the Johannes Kepler University in Austria claim they have created a new biodegradable gel that can 3D print recyclable robots.

 

ALSO SEE

 

Title:

3D printing of resilient biogels for omnidirectional and exteroceptive soft actuators

 

Authors:

A Heiden [et al]

 

Published:

Science Robotics, Volume 7, Number 63, 2 February 2022

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.abk2119

 

Abstract:

Soft robotics greatly benefits from nature as a source of inspiration, introducing innate means of safe interaction between robotic appliances and living organisms. In contrast, the materials involved are often nonbiodegradable or stem from nonrenewable resources, contributing to an ever-growing environmental footprint. Furthermore, conventional manufacturing methods, such as mold casting, are not suitable for replicating or imitating the complexity of nature’s creations. Consequently, the inclusion of sustainability concepts alongside the development of new fabrication procedures is required. We report a customized 3D-printing process based on fused deposition modeling, printing a fully biodegradable gelatin-based hydrogel (biogel) ink into dimensionally stable, complex objects. This process enables fast and cost-effective prototyping of resilient, soft robotic applications from gels that stretch to six times their original length, as well as an accessible recycling procedure with zero waste. We present printed pneumatic actuators performing omnidirectional movement at fast response times (less than a second), featuring integrated 3D-printed stretchable waveguides, capable of both proprio- and exteroception. These soft devices are endowed with dynamic real-time control capable of automated search-and-wipe routines to detect and remove obstacles. They can be reprinted several times or disposed of hazard-free at the end of their lifetime, potentially unlocking a sustainable future for soft robotics.

 

Brick-laying robot gets approval from NHBC [Construction Enquirer, January 2022]

Title:

Brick-laying robot gets approval from NHBC 

 

Author:

Grant Prior

 

Published:

Construction Enquirer, 14 January 2022

https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/01/14/brick-laying-robot-gets-approval-from-nhbc/

 

From the articel:

Yorkshire-based Construction Automation created the Automatic Brick Laying Robot (ABLR) which can build external walls, laying all the bricks, blocks and mortar, while running on a track around the foundations of the building.

 

A new robotic hand is so precise, it can hold an egg without cracking it just like a human [Business Insider, January 2022]

Title:

A new robotic hand is so precise, it can hold an egg without cracking it just like a human  

 

Authors:

Andrea Núñez-Torrón Stock & Nathan Rennolds, Business Insider España 

 

Published:

Business Insider, 7 January 2022

https://www.businessinsider.com/a-robotic-hand-can-hold-an-egg-without-cracking-it-2022-1?IR=T

 

From the article:

Innovators at South Korea's Ajou University have created a robotic hand that is capable of holding fragile objects like eggs. It can also crush cans and work with tools like tweezers and scissors.  

 

An article published in Nature explained all the details of the new technology.