<title>TORUS: toys operated remotely for understanding science</title>

Abstract

TORUS (for Toys Operated Remotely for Understanding Science) is an Internet-based educational project aimed at exploiting toys to create interesting and challenging robotics demonstrations and problem scenarios for students. In this paper we describe the implementation and evaluation of the TORUS "Construction Site" which aims to demonstrate key features of remote teleoperation via a multi-user cooperative task scenario. In this scenario three vehicles (toys) are remotely operated by three separate users to collectively complete a simple cyclical task. The users have separate control for their respective devices and the choice of three camera views. We describe the setup of the site, the control interfaces and the overall architecture of the Construction Site scenario. We report on initial evaluation of the scenario, the enhancements already implemented and others that are planned. One of the key features of TORUS is the use of toys as the remote "robotic" devices. The use of toys removes the usual costs and the safety requirements normally associated with using real robot devices. We discuss the scope for the further development of this approach and its potential for supporting both introductory and advanced robotics and artificial intelligence education via the Internet.