Lego Mindstorm - Experiences

 

When I first started working on Lego, I never felt "lacking help", although I was not "fully equipped" per say. I figured out my answers on my own as I continued working. I worked on various experiments on my own first. Then I started teaching young children. But never did I feel lack of help or doing work alone. The help on the internet was very good, the forum helped and to some extent it was my thinking. I think I started working on it from 2012. I continued working on it till 2023...11 years ...What a creation "Lego Mindstorm" is ! Ideally, we can use it from a young age of 10+ years till your Masters or so. I started working from 36 years of age ! But none the less, it was fun. Some experiments like "Maze Solver", "Wall Follower" or "Printer" are really challenging. The Building Instructions are ready. What I did was mainly programming. Ideally I could have appreciated even more, if some "building specifications" were given, and the goal could have been to bring out the "robot building creativity" amongst children. Because I believe, once the "hardware" of the robot is built, the building the "software" is not MUCH challenge ! Probably, since I had a software background, I find it relatively easy to build the software. 

The way I chose the experiments is by the value they add to my knowledge. For example, Wall Follower adds a value of academic importance where we need to know the PID Controller concept. The "continuous time" version of PID Controller seems very complex on paper, with the Integration and Derivatives involved. However, the "discrete time" version of PID Controller looks much easier to implement with software. The experiment also adds value in terms of understanding both these versions of the algorithms. The second experiment, which was Maze Solver, is a real challenge in terms of translating "visualization" or "imagination" to "reality". For example imagining the "U turn" or imagining "equal and opposite stretches" and cancelling them was a challenge. Translating the actual "mathematical algorithm" of Maze Solver into some working reality was an incredible experience ! And yet both the above experiments are still little imperfect, with the Wall Follower oscillating at the turns and Maze Solver going little ahead of path than expected. But that's the goal right ? Strive towards perfection. The third experiment Printer, gives an excellent exposure to young students about "what is printing ?", "What is automation for printing ?". For students, it is heavenly experience to see the characters getting printed with the pen attached ! The three Lego experiments which I mentioned above are linked below:

Wall Follower

Maze Solver

Banner Printer

Thoughts about Shakespeare by P.L.

 Despite playing all sensitive characters, Shakespeare was lonely at heart after each act.

P.L. says that more than Kalidas's literature, Shakespeare's literature has made my life more fulfilling. P.L. further says, being an Indian, fellow Indians will have objections to compare Kalidas with Shakespeare's contribution to my life. However, he says, that's a reality.

It is Shakespeare's famous quote "I am not what I am". It represents the constant search of human being of his/her own self. P.L. says that even Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore had a question "Who am I?".

Shakespeare lived his last days in his home town, leaving all his plays aside.

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 11) - Julie with Her Elder Cousin Sister

Julie's favorite aunty (Julie's mother's sister) has come down to visit Julie and her family. She has her daughter (Nisha) and husband accompanying her. This is the first time Julie meets Nisha after Julie grew up. That means Julie does not have many memories of Nisha yet. Julie has talked over video call with Aunty.

Julie: Aunty, what does Nisha like to play?

Aunty: Julie, feel free to ask her. She has also grown up like you. So it's her choice.

Julie: Nisha, would you like to play outside or at home?

Nisha: Julie, I am an "outdoor" person. Fortunately, where we live, it does not snow. So we get all 12 months at our disposal, except a few days when it rains !

Julie: Ok Nisha. Let's go out to the garden at our campus. It's summer and flowers have blossomed. We will get Uncle-R to accompany us. In case of hazards ...

Nisha: Ok, Let's go then

Mummy: Julie and Nisha, Try to return back in one hour. I will have food served. 

Julie: Ok mummy

Nisha: Ok aunty

Julie, Nisha and Uncle-R go out to the garden.

Nisha: Julie, this garden seems special. There are many robotic games existing.

Julie: Yes Nisha, have you played robotic games before ?

Nisha: No, I just saw you too have one "Uncle-R". I have heard about it.

Julie: Yes, daddy got it for me. Uncle-R can play Hide-and-Seek here. Would you like to play ? Of course, if you do not feel like it is for little kids.

Nisha: Not at all. Lets try.

Julie and Nisha play hide-and-seek for some time. Both enjoyed. Then they start walking around in the garden. Beautiful flowers on both sides of the walk. 

Nisha: These are very different flowers. We do not have them at out place. What are they called?

Julie: Even I do not know Nisha, so lets ask Uncle-R. Uncle-R, what is the name of the red flowers ? Are they roses ?

Uncle-R: No, those are Tulip flowers.

Julie: Thank you Uncle-R. Nisha, it has been one hour since we started from home. I think we should get back.

Nisha: Yes, Julie.

Both Julie and Nisha come home. Mummy has served lunch. All gather around the dining table for lunch !

Music - Indian Classical

 Music in India can be classified into three different categories. The first one is "Indian Classical" which is also called "Hindusthani Classical". The second one is "Carnatic Classical". And the third one is "Western". The different categories of music are based on the way musical creativity is organized. I will mainly focus on the "Indian Classical" music in this article. The central theme of Indian Classical music is the "raga". Each "raga" defines the basic principles necessary to sing. The classical music session is based on "one raga" which can be further elaborated "live" with a set of "principles of raga" and "general rules of Indian classical singing". Indian classical music further belongs to different "gharana". Each "gharana" has its own singing style. For Example: Raag Bhoop will be sung by "Punjab Gharana", "Jaipur Gharana" and "Gwalior Gharana" differently. The style of singing mainly differs in pace and rhythm. We are thinking of developing an app which will act like a "composer". But when it comes to single raga, a "human composer" is very well trained to identify the sequence of "notes", which will create a "melody". Also definition of "sweetness" of a melody varies from person to person. Listeners may "follow" multiple melodies which suit their taste. Also, it's hard for India's "oral knowledge transfer" tradition to accept that a machine can sing and compose. Given these facts how is this app going to help ? Mainly, this app helps in mixing of ragas to create a melody as done by A. R. Rehmaan in his compositions. In general, it is a challenge to identify which ragas need to be blend with each other to create a melody. This app will create a short list of such melodies and present it to the composer. The composer then will make a final call about what suits him/her. 

NOTES:

varjya, vadi, samvadi

what are "notes" when it comes to computer

Rules for mixing the melodies

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 10) - Julie's Friend Come Home

 Julie's friend's (Roza) mother accompanies Roza to Julie's home. Her mother wants to go out for 2 hours. Till then Roza is with Julie. On her way back home, Roza's mother is going to pick Roza up. This is Roza's third time to visit Julie's home.

Mummy: Roza and Julie, would you like to have some snacks ? 

Julie: Yes mummy.

Roza: Yes Aunty

Mummy: I have made "shira" today. So, we all will have some. Meanwhile, Julie, you show your new toys to Roza

Julie: Yes mummy.

Julie and Roza go to the toys room. Both are still in school dress. 

Julie: Roza, daddy got one kit which helps kids learn electronics. It has few switches, few sensors, few bulbs, a couple of fans ... We can create small circuits to learn how electricity helps in actual life

Roza: what is "circuit" ?

Julie: Circuit is made by joining wires and other things like switches and bulbs together. When circuit is complete, bulb glows. If circuit is not complete, bulb does not glow.

Roza: Oh ok. Can we make the circuit now, to make the bulb glow?

Julie: Yes, why not !

Julie quickly creates a circuit with a switch and a bulb, to make the bulb glow. She shows the on/off mechanism to Roza. 

Roza: Thank you Julie. Do we have "electronics" in school? 

Julie: Uncle-R, do we have "electronics" in school?

Uncle-R: Yes Julie, you have electronics in 4th grade. 

Roza: Julie, you have started very early. 

Julie: My father thought, this game will help in further study.

Roza: Hmm... thank you Julie. I was happy to know the circuit and the bulb which glows

Julie: You are welcome ! Uncle-R and Roza, will you please help me to organize the electronics kit back ?

Roza: Yes, definitely.

Uncle-R: Yes

Both Roza and Julie organize the kit and come out of the room to the dining table. Mummy got the "shira" on the table. They both eat Shira. And the door bell rings. Roza's mother returned back after finishing her work. 

Roza: Julie, how did you get instructions to play with the kit?

Julie: I asked Uncle-R.

Roza: He instructs you?

Julie: Yes.

Roza: Thank you Julie. Seems a great game. I will also try to get it at my home. Ok Julie. I will go home now. Aunty, I will go home. Bye, take care !

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 9) - Quiz Went Well

Julie: Mummy, I had a quiz today in the school

Mummy: How was it Julie ?

Julie: It was good. I could solve the problems.

Mummy: How many questions were there this time?

Julie: 15 questions. But since we solved a practice quiz prior, I could find the quiz easy. Thank you mummy for the practice quiz.

Mummy: No problems Julie. I used to do that when I was young. Uncle-R, will you set up the quiz for Julie next time?

Uncle-R: Yes. I will do it. 

Mummy: So, we have a long weekend ahead. What should we plan? Your quiz went well. So, its celebration time !

Julie: Yes mummy, thank you. I wished to call two of my friends at home. Would you mind?

Mummy: No. I would be happy to receive them. Should we plan for overnight stay?

Julie: Yes mummy. We will get two days together with friends. It would be fun.

Mummy: Do you know what food your friends like ?

Julie: No mummy. But nothing wrong in asking. 

Mummy: Ok ask them then. Let me know tomorrow. Ok, what is your plan now? Are you going to play with Uncle-R or should we go out to play?

Julie: Let's go out today mummy. 

Mummy: Get ready then. 

Julie and mummy both go out in the garden to play.

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 8) - Quiz Did Not Go Well

 Julie and mummy both are sitting around the study table and analysing the quiz.

Mummy: Julie, why do you think the quiz did not go well ?

Julie: Mummy there were 15 questions. I could not answer last 3 questions

Mummy: Why, the time was not sufficient ?

Julie: Yes, I took a lot of time to answer the initial questions

Mummy: Did you not prepare or practice sufficiently ?

Julie: I practiced well. But I found questions bit difficult.

Mummy: What was the quiz about ?

Julie: English 5 marks, Maths 5 marks and General Knowledge 5 marks

Mummy: Can you show me the quiz ? I want to see what are the last 3 questions about ?

Julie shows the quiz paper

Mummy: Among the last 3 questions, 1 is of english, 2 are of GK.

Julie: Yes mummy.

Mummy: Did you talk to the other students ? Could they complete the paper ?

Julie: I talked to 3 of my friends. Two of them completed the paper. One of them did not.

Mummy: Ok. Let's check the marks in coming days. When is the result getting declared ?

Julie: After three days, on 14th.

Mummy: Ok. Change your school dress. I will cook "sanja" for you.

Julie: Ok mummy.

Julie eats "sanja"

Mummy: Julie play for sometime, then tell me how you practice the questions. Ok?

Julie: Ok mummy.

Julie and Mummy gather over the study table after playtime

Mummy: Yes Julie, I wanted to know how you prepare for quizzes

Julie: Mummy, I complete my home-work after coming back at home. Then I read the next chapter for English. Then daddy asks me to solve some of maths problems. That's all.

Mummy: Julie do you prepare for GK ?

Julie: Mummy, daddy told me there is nothing to "prepare for". Its just day-to-day reading and listening. Daddy showed me to talk to Uncle-R about facts of nature, universe, humanity, earth. 

Mummy: Ok Julie. Sounds great ! I think it would help you, if we setup one quiz at home, just before the school quiz. That will give you  practice for solving the problems in given time.

Julie: Ok, mummy.

Mummy: Let's start dinner now.

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 7) - Getting Up in the Morning

Julie Brushes her teeth

Julie does the morning routines

Julie comes near dining table

Almost 1 hour passes in silence

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 6) - Before Going to Bed

 An hour after dinner ...

Mummy: Julie, have you brushed your teeth ?

Julie: Yes mummy.

Mummy: Is your bedroom clean  ?

Julie: Yes, mummy.

Mummy: Let's go to sleep now.

Julie: Ok, mummy.

Mummy: Uncle-R, could you please join us to Julie's bedroom? 

Uncle-R: Yes

Julie and Mummy both go to Julie's bedroom. Mummy notices that the room is still unorganized. Some toys are still left in the corner.

Mummy: Julie, these toys should go into the basket before sleeping everyday.

Julie: Ok mummy.

Mummy: Will you help me put them into the basket today ? Uncle-R, could you too please help? 

Julie: Yes mummy.

Uncle-R: Yes

Mummy, Julie and Uncle-R organize the room. Julie goes to bed

Mummy: Julie, what would you like to listen? A song or a story ?

Julie: A song mummy.

Mummy sings lullabies to Julie.  

Mummy: Uncle-R, do you have any of your latest compositions?

Uncle-R: Yes

Mummy: Then sing one for Julie now.

Uncle-R sings his melody. Julie sleeps.

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 5) - Walking

Some of Julie's walking videos ...

- People are saying "Hi" in multiple languages

- Drenching under fountain

- Julie playing "see-saw" with her mother and grandmother

- Julie going to beach with her parents

- Julie climbing uphill with her father

============

 Uncle-R, Julie and daddy are going for a walk. 

There is nothing like going for a walk with parents. Its the best part of childhood.

Julie: Where are we going for a walk daddy ?

Daddy: Today we are going to the beach Julie. 

Julie: Are we going to walk on the beach?

Daddy: Yes, we are going to walk on the beach. 

Julie: Will we get to see seagulls?

Daddy: Let us check with Uncle-R about the "seagulls season"

Daddy: Uncle-R, Will we find "seagulls" on the sea-shore this season ?

Uncle-R: Yes, seagulls can be seen in Winter in the USA. This is the winter season going on.

Julie: Ok, then we will get to see few seagulls, right daddy?

Daddy: Yes Julie.

Actual walking starts ... daddy is holding Julie's hand. Five minutes passed in silence.

Julie: Daddy, how long we take to the beach ?

Daddy: We need to walk for 10 more min. You should know that we stay very close to the beach. And we are very lucky to get a beach-side house.

Julie: If we walk fast, we will reach early?

Daddy: Yes, but you will also feel exhausted. So better maintain some intermediate speed.

Julie: Ok daddy.

Daddy and Julie reached the beach. Julie sees few seagulls

Julie: Daddy, see the seagulls ... We are going to have great time !

Daddy: Yes Julie !

Julie runs close to the seagulls.

Daddy: Uncle-R, could you please make sure Julie does not get into any hazard anywhere around ? 

Uncle-R: Yes. 

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 4) - Dining

 Julie: Mummy, what have you made for dinner today?

Mummy: Something which you love to eat - masala rice

Julie: Mummy, You know I DON'T like that at all

Mummy: Yes, I know that. I was being sarcastic. Actually, daddy likes it.

Julie: That's not fair mummy.

Mummy: Every time, I am not going to make food of your choice. Sometimes, I need to make food of daddy's choice.

Robot: I think your mother is right. One day for one person.

Julie: Yes Uncle. I got it. Where is daddy though?

Robot: He will join in 2 min. At 8. 

Julie: Uncle, how do you know he will join at 8 ?

Robot: There is something called as "time", which we know by taking a look at "watch" or "clock".  As you grow up, you will come to know.

Julie: Ok Uncle. Looks like daddy is coming.

Mummy: Let's start dinner then.

Everyone starts dinner. 

Daddy: I overheard your discussion about "time", "watch" and "clock". Mummy, I think we should purchase a clock for Julie's room. 

Mummy: Yes, Kids should learn about "time" as soon as possible in their life.

Daddy: I agree, that will help them maintain discipline on their own.

Julie: Daddy, mummy has made your favorite dish, did you like it?

Daddy: Yes, I liked it. Thank you Mummy!

Mummy: OK, sure. No problem!

Dinner continues and ends.

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 3) - Travelling by Car

Julie opens her chatbot Uncle-R in the back seat, with daddy and mummy in the front seats of the car

Robot- Hi Julie. It looks like we are travelling. Where are we going?

Julie- We are going to Disney World 

Robot- Where is Disney World? Which place? 

Julie- I do not know uncle. But let me ask daddy.

Robot- ok, sure

Julie- Daddy, where is Disney World? Which place?

Daddy- We are in the US. The Disney World is in Orlando city, in Florida state

Julie- Uncle, did you hear that? Disney World is in Orlando City and in Florida State

Robot- My guess is Florida is bigger than Orlando ! What do you think Julie ?

Julie- Daddy said Orlando city is in Florida state. Bigger contains smaller. That means Florida is bigger than Orlando.

Robot- Let me think ... I think that's correct !

Meanwhile the Robot calculates the time required to reach the destination (Orlando City). It is going to take 1 hour more. Few Minutes passed silently. Robot starts talking to Julie

Robot- Julie, we have one more hour left for Disney World. Should we play something?

Julie- Like what? 

Robot- Like "Word Scramble"?

Julie- I have not played that game before

Robot- Let's play a "demo" round. Then we will play the "final". OK?

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 2) - Happy with School

 Julie opens the chatbot, Uncle-R says

Robot: Hi Julie, it looks like you are not happy with your school today. What happened ?

Julie: No ! I am happy with the school. My language teacher said good things about me in front of the whole class. 

Robot: The good things were for what ? 

Julie: We were learning spellings and I got all spellings right !

Robot: Ok, what exactly did the teacher say?

Julie: Teacher said "Great job, keep it up!". She said that ONLY to me. There were many students !

Robot: Hmm ... Sounds great ! So what next ? Some singing? Drawing? What should we do?

Julie: Can you play "Dil hai Chotasa?"

Robot: Yes, sure, I will play. Meanwhile, I would like to know, what do you like about the song?

Julie: I like the trees, the ducks, the sky, the river, the boat ... its a round boat you know?

Robot: Yes, true. Ok, I am playing the song now !

ChatBot For Kids (Example Conversation 1) - Sunday Playtime

 - Open the chatbot and the chatbot will realize who has opened it

Robot - Hi Julie, good morning!

Julie - Good Morning, Uncle-R

Robot - So, Julie, no school today? (Its a trick question for the kids, In real life, the robot can figure out today's day from the calendar. Some of the questions will be trick questions)

Julie - No Uncle-R, its Sunday!

Robot - So, what next, playtime?

Julie - Yes

Robot - Snake and Ladder, Carrom or BrainVita?

Julie - BrainVita

- The chatbot opens the game BrainVita

Robot - Julie, I opened BrainVita for you

Julie - Thanks Uncle

Robot - Julie, Do you want me to say the instructions out loud?

Julie - No, Uncle, I know them now

- Julie starts playing, the robot occasionally says "Good Job", based on an intelligent move. Claps when the game is over with as few marbles on the board as possible. If Julie wins the game by 1 marble on the board, Robot says "Celebration Time!"

Julie - Uncle, I would like to play once more

Robot - Sure, Go ahead !

- Julie plays once more and Robot acknowledges as usual

Julie - Uncle, its lunch time now. I will see you later!

Robot - OK Julie, Take care, bye !

- Chatbot closes on its own !