Research in Computer Science

Robots, virtual reality, categorizing sounds, building networks

Computer Science students and faculty are involved in many research projects, such as:

• Colony Robotics. Gary Parker, Ozgur Izmirli, Newell Seal, and Richard Zbeda. An 8x8 foot area has been set aside in the Robotics Lab for future colony robotics research. We are working on developing a power supply for the robots, establishing communication links from the learning system computer to the robot, and implementing an overhead camera for colony observation. This research is funded in part by a Keck Undergraduate Science Program Grant.
   
• Using Cyclic Genetic Algorithms to Generate Gaits for Hexapod Robots. Gary Parker. In this project we use CGAs (a form of evolutionary computation) to learn walking patterns for six-legged robots. Learning takes place on a model of the robot with the new control programs downloaded to the actual robot for testing. Click here for the movie.
   
• Multimodal Integration and Way-finding. Bridget Baird, Ozgur Izmirli, Ann Devlin, Fahad Shams '06, Hale Ekinci '06. The roles of multiple modes such as visual, audio and haptics, are explored to enable a better understanding of spatial cognition. This multidisciplinary research is at the intersections of computer science, psychology and music. Applications of this research are planned in the area of way-finding, particularly in hospitals.
   
• Virtual Reality and Archaeology. Bridget Baird, Andrea Mendoza '08. Virtual reality is used to explore and illustrate archaeological sites. The homestead of Venture Smith, freed slave, who lived in Haddam Neck, CT in the late 1700's and early 1800's, is currently being excavated. A virtual reality simulation of this site is being developed.
   
• Multimodal Connections: Haptics and Audio. Bridget Baird, Ozgur Izmirli, Don Blevins, Brad Heacock '06, Dessi Peeva '05. This research seeks to answer the questions of whether there are connections between the audio properties and haptic properties. Experiments are being conducted to test the presence of innate correlations and also whether correlations can be learned. The results of these experiments will have implications for user interfaces and will shed light on the nature of haptic/audio relationships.
   
• Punctuated Anytime Learning in Evolutionary Robotics. Gary Parker and Greg Fedynyshyn. This research (funded in part by a Keck Undergraduate Science Program Grant) uses periodic tests on the actual robot to test the control programs learned on the robot model by evolutionary computation and improve the learning process by altering the learning algorithm (Fitness Biasing) or changing the model (Co-Evolving Model Parameters).
   
• Visualization of Musical Sound. Bridget Baird and Ozgur Izmirli. A model for the visualization of the attributes of musical sound is developed. Color, shape, position, movement, and surface texture are all used to visualize the attributes of sounds.
   
• Xpilot-AI. Gary Parker, Matt Parker, and Tim Doherty. Xpilot is an online computer game that models space combatants in a 2D environment. We have determined how to access the client program to be able to allow agents with artificial intelligence to play the game (Xpilot-AI). With proper configuration, these agents look and act just like those controlled by human players. The long-term goal is to have them continually learn as they join games in progress and compete against human players.
   
• The Co-Evolution of Robot Control and Morphology. Gary Parker and Pramod Nathan. This research involves concurrently evolving the body and the mind of a robot. We are using LEGO Mindstorms for the evolution of full body robots and the ServoBot for the evolution of sensor morphology.
   
• Conducting a Virtual Ensemble. Bridget Baird and Ozgur Izmirli. The aim of this project is to analyze this relationship between the conductor's movements and the actual tempo as performed by the players, and apply the results from this analysis to construct a computer-based system that will mimic the salient behavior of a real ensemble.
   
• Immersive Modules for Scientific Visualization. Bridget Baird, Andrea Wollensak, Steve Loomis and students. Supported by a grant from National Science Foundation, students and faculty have been working on modules to create scientific visualizations modules for use in the curriculum to illustrate scientific principles in physiology, chemistry, astronomy, physics and mathematics.
   
• Interactive Exploration of Multi-modal Objects in a Virtual Gallery. Bridget Baird, Ozgur Izmirli, and David Smalley. The virtual gallery places sculptures. This new kind of virtual gallery allows the user to explore relationships among the senses of vision, audio and touch in an interactive and artistic manner.
   
• Sound and Audio Signal Processing. Click here for additional research topics.
   
• Virtual Reality and Visualization. Click here for additional research topics.
   
• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Click here for additional research topics.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 11:54