Inexpensive Robots

[Mike]

fyi,

Mike Rehner



Hello,

My name is Tom Lauwers and I'm the founder of BirdBrain Technologies
LLC. You might remember me from a robotics session at CMU's CS4HS.
At the time, I was working on a project to create a robot with
hardware features that were well-suited to introductory computer
science education. Depending on when you attended, you either saw an
early version of the Finch robot, or a robot that combined an iRobot
Create and a Qwerk controller. The Finch is the result of a four year
research study into using robots in computer science education. It is
meant as a tool to make the assignments and activities in an
introductory course more exciting and relevant to students.

We created 100 beta versions of the Finch, and I saw first-hand the
positive influence the robot had on students. As an academic research
project, the Finch has been a success - we've published a number of
papers demonstrating improved retention among students, and have added
to the conversation on robots and computer science education. The
transition from an educational research project that adds to human
knowledge to a product that helps students and teachers is one that is
rarely incentivized within a university setting, which is why after
completing my doctoral studies last year, I decided to commercialize
the Finch.

I am writing you today to announce that the Finch is now available for
sale at www.finchrobot.com. Our website contains over 40 assignment
ideas, downloadable Finch software, documentation and tutorials, and
the capability for members of the site to upload their own
assignments. The Finch is currently supported in Java and Python, and
we plan to add Javascript, Labview, and VB by summer, and a graphical
drag and drop language soon thereafter.

I hate spam (even mailing list spam), and so please know that this
will be my only email to you regarding the Finch. All I ask from you
is that after you read this email, you visit www.finchrobot.com and
watch the three minute video on the Finch. If you wish to follow the
Finch in the future, you can friend it on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/finchrobot) or follow on twitter
(finchrobot).

Best wishes,
Tom Lauwers