Two humanoid robots are enhancing practical learning for students in Conestoga’s School of Applied Computer Science & IT. Named RAM and ROM in reference to computer data terms, Random Access Memory and Read-Only Memory, the robots provide opportunities to study and experiment with AI technology, software and data analytics.
Robots RAM and ROM are enhancing student learning in the School of Applied Computer Science & IT.
RAM and ROM are Unitree G1 humanoid robots equipped with joint motors and dexterous hands for flexible, functional movements and artificial intelligence that enables Reinforcement Learning. “These robots provide software access, program availability, and they come with simulations for students to practice with,” explained Leigh Willis, Chair, Applied Computer Science & IT.
The robots were purchased with support from the Ontario College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF), a provincial fund that helps colleges buy and renew instructional equipment and learning resources, such as specialized equipment, machinery, or tools for use in labs, shops and classrooms.
The robots are a new addition to the School of Applied Computer Science & IT, but they are already used in the classroom for programs such as the Bachelor of Computer Science program as well as the Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program.
While the G1 model comes with a controller, the robot can also learn to move between two points on its own, something students can experiment with when studying Reinforcement Learning. On the analytics side, students can access a dashboard on a Unitree mobile application and pull data from the robot, including information on each joint and the machine's temperature.
“Our goal is to expand their use to other programs as we explore more of their functions and capabilities,” said Willis.
RAM and ROM now live in the new robot lab that the school set up at Conestoga’s Waterloo campus. The classroom is not only home to the robot gantries, but also provides space for related equipment, including laptops for programming and remote controllers, as well as plenty of room for the robots to move around.
The School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology offers leading-edge programs with a 21st-century education that prepare graduates for exciting careers in the innovative world of AI, Machine Learning and Data Science technology. With a strong connection to local industry, project-based and work-integrated learning enables students to solve real-world problems and engage in new technologies that empower a professional journey in a rapidly growing sector.