good evening everybody my name is Janelle Laros I am from Kailua Kona
Janelle Laros I am from Kailua Kona
Janelle Laros I am from Kailua Kona Hawaii and I’m a member of the class of
Hawaii and I’m a member of the class of
Hawaii and I’m a member of the class of 2017 my entire life I have always been
2017 my entire life I have always been
2017 my entire life I have always been fascinated by science but absolutely
fascinated by science but absolutely
fascinated by science but absolutely horrible at math but regardless growing
horrible at math but regardless growing
horrible at math but regardless growing up I always participated in my school
up I always participated in my school
up I always participated in my school science fair and when I was a sophomore
science fair and when I was a sophomore
science fair and when I was a sophomore in high school I was looking to fill
in high school I was looking to fill
in high school I was looking to fill another science credit so I signed up
another science credit so I signed up
another science credit so I signed up for robotics now when I first walked in
for robotics now when I first walked in
for robotics now when I first walked in I immediately felt out of place because
I immediately felt out of place because
I immediately felt out of place because the class consisted of a clique of
the class consisted of a clique of
the class consisted of a clique of senior basketball boys just trying to
senior basketball boys just trying to
senior basketball boys just trying to get the credit
get the credit
get the credit a group of genius computer kids who had
a group of genius computer kids who had
a group of genius computer kids who had already spent years coding and a
already spent years coding and a
already spent years coding and a whopping total of two other girls in the
whopping total of two other girls in the
whopping total of two other girls in the class who also were incredibly brilliant
class who also were incredibly brilliant
class who also were incredibly brilliant but regardless of how out of place I
but regardless of how out of place I
but regardless of how out of place I felt after a week of being in the class
felt after a week of being in the class
felt after a week of being in the class I realized that I love robotics I love
I realized that I love robotics I love
I realized that I love robotics I love being able to use my hands to create
being able to use my hands to create
being able to use my hands to create design and build something which then
design and build something which then
design and build something which then comes alive I loved it so much that I
comes alive I loved it so much that I
comes alive I loved it so much that I wanted to continue robotics in a more
wanted to continue robotics in a more
wanted to continue robotics in a more complex and challenging a program and i
complex and challenging a program and i
complex and challenging a program and i was per that’s oh excuse me i then did a
was per that’s oh excuse me i then did a
was per that’s oh excuse me i then did a year-long indepence science research
year-long indepence science research
year-long indepence science research course to pursue robotics during my
course to pursue robotics during my
course to pursue robotics during my junior year and i then continued it into
junior year and i then continued it into
junior year and i then continued it into my senior year which brings us to where
my senior year which brings us to where
my senior year which brings us to where we are today where i am building a what
we are today where i am building a what
we are today where i am building a what multi-jointed robot controlled by
multi-jointed robot controlled by
multi-jointed robot controlled by specific bio signals so with this
specific bio signals so with this
specific bio signals so with this project I was given the space to learn
project I was given the space to learn
project I was given the space to learn how to code build and design in a self
how to code build and design in a self
how to code build and design in a self led and non-traditional classroom
led and non-traditional classroom
led and non-traditional classroom setting I was able to reinstall my love
setting I was able to reinstall my love
setting I was able to reinstall my love for science which contributed to my
for science which contributed to my
for science which contributed to my furthering my interests in my other
furthering my interests in my other
furthering my interests in my other classes as well as academically
classes as well as academically
classes as well as academically challenging myself in science finally
challenging myself in science finally
challenging myself in science finally this project has allowed me to redefine
this project has allowed me to redefine
this project has allowed me to redefine my self identity as someone who cannot
my self identity as someone who cannot
my self identity as someone who cannot be stopped by their weaknesses so what
be stopped by their weaknesses so what
be stopped by their weaknesses so what is a multi-jointed robot controlled by
is a multi-jointed robot controlled by
is a multi-jointed robot controlled by specific bio signals so my goal was to
specific bio signals so my goal was to
specific bio signals so my goal was to build a four-legged robot that had a hip
build a four-legged robot that had a hip
build a four-legged robot that had a hip and a knee joint at each leg and that
and a knee joint at each leg and that
and a knee joint at each leg and that would be controlled by bio signals bio
would be controlled by bio signals bio
would be controlled by bio signals bio signals are
signals are
signals are any signal that are in living beings
any signal that are in living beings
any signal that are in living beings that can be continually monitored or
that can be continually monitored or
that can be continually monitored or measured the three of the three bio
measured the three of the three bio
measured the three of the three bio signals I was using was EMG
signals I was using was EMG
signals I was using was EMG electromyography which is the
electromyography which is the
electromyography which is the electricity of your muscles ECG
electricity of your muscles ECG
electricity of your muscles ECG electrocardiogram and EEG
electrocardiogram and EEG
electrocardiogram and EEG electroencephalography which are your
electroencephalography which are your
electroencephalography which are your brainwaves EMG your muscles would
brainwaves EMG your muscles would
brainwaves EMG your muscles would control the initial joint movement of
control the initial joint movement of
control the initial joint movement of the robot ECG your heart rate would
the robot ECG your heart rate would
the robot ECG your heart rate would control the speed of the robot and EEG
control the speed of the robot and EEG
control the speed of the robot and EEG your brainwaves would control the
your brainwaves would control the
your brainwaves would control the direction of the robot and as you can
direction of the robot and as you can
direction of the robot and as you can see this is a diagram of the most recent
see this is a diagram of the most recent
see this is a diagram of the most recent prototype that I’ve built this is the
prototype that I’ve built this is the
prototype that I’ve built this is the third one and this is all of the labels
third one and this is all of the labels
third one and this is all of the labels as you can see the foot and the knee and
as you can see the foot and the knee and
as you can see the foot and the knee and the hip joint the Arduino which is the
the hip joint the Arduino which is the
the hip joint the Arduino which is the brain of the robot and several different
brain of the robot and several different
brain of the robot and several different battery packs and a breadboard so I
battery packs and a breadboard so I
battery packs and a breadboard so I first started this project by learning
first started this project by learning
first started this project by learning more about bio signals I was able to
more about bio signals I was able to
more about bio signals I was able to learn about bio signals through a
learn about bio signals through a
learn about bio signals through a company called backyard brains which
company called backyard brains which
company called backyard brains which creates basically arduino-compatible bio
creates basically arduino-compatible bio
creates basically arduino-compatible bio signal equipment the first ones that I
signal equipment the first ones that I
signal equipment the first ones that I was studying was EMG and ECG this led me
was studying was EMG and ECG this led me
was studying was EMG and ECG this led me to design my first prototype which I
to design my first prototype which I
to design my first prototype which I made out of Legos what made this
made out of Legos what made this
made out of Legos what made this prototype unique is that I created the
prototype unique is that I created the
prototype unique is that I created the tendons basically out of string and
tendons basically out of string and
tendons basically out of string and elastic was which was then connected to
elastic was which was then connected to
elastic was which was then connected to excuse me which was then connected to a
excuse me which was then connected to a
excuse me which was then connected to a fixed point on the robot this is an
fixed point on the robot this is an
fixed point on the robot this is an animation of the first prototype and now
animation of the first prototype and now
animation of the first prototype and now this is an animation of it trying to
this is an animation of it trying to
this is an animation of it trying to walk creating a walking robot is a
walk creating a walking robot is a
walk creating a walking robot is a harder than I thought it was going to be
harder than I thought it was going to be
harder than I thought it was going to be the tendons basically they couldn’t
the tendons basically they couldn’t
the tendons basically they couldn’t support the weight of the chassis and
support the weight of the chassis and
support the weight of the chassis and the Legos also broke under tension this
the Legos also broke under tension this
the Legos also broke under tension this led me to create my second prototype the
led me to create my second prototype the
led me to create my second prototype the second prototype instead of the string
second prototype instead of the string
second prototype instead of the string being connected to a fixed point on the
being connected to a fixed point on the
being connected to a fixed point on the chassis it was connected to a servo and
chassis it was connected to a servo and
chassis it was connected to a servo and if you don’t know what a servo is
if you don’t know what a servo is
if you don’t know what a servo is basically let’s say you have a motor
basically let’s say you have a motor
basically let’s say you have a motor which is a continuous rotation and if
which is a continuous rotation and if
which is a continuous rotation and if you have a servo then you put you can
you have a servo then you put you can
you have a servo then you put you can put like specific degrees and that’s
put like specific degrees and that’s
put like specific degrees and that’s where the servo turns so this had a
where the servo turns so this had a
where the servo turns so this had a servo which was adjusting the tension in
servo which was adjusting the tension in
servo which was adjusting the tension in the rope this was a lot more of a more
the rope this was a lot more of a more
the rope this was a lot more of a more successful method but the same time
successful method but the same time
successful method but the same time since it was Bill
since it was Bill
since it was Bill out of metal it did not break like the
out of metal it did not break like the
out of metal it did not break like the Legos did but it was not able to support
Legos did but it was not able to support
Legos did but it was not able to support its own bodyweight so this led me to the
its own bodyweight so this led me to the
its own bodyweight so this led me to the summer between my junior and senior year
summer between my junior and senior year
summer between my junior and senior year in the first semester of my senior year
in the first semester of my senior year
in the first semester of my senior year I took time for to research the three
I took time for to research the three
I took time for to research the three parts that I research is first I took
parts that I research is first I took
parts that I research is first I took the time to further my knowledge in
the time to further my knowledge in
the time to further my knowledge in coding specifically the code language of
coding specifically the code language of
coding specifically the code language of C++ which is the language that Arduino
C++ which is the language that Arduino
C++ which is the language that Arduino uses I also took this time to research
uses I also took this time to research
uses I also took this time to research other multi-jointed robots such as Big
other multi-jointed robots such as Big
other multi-jointed robots such as Big Dawg by Boston Dynamics as well as other
Dawg by Boston Dynamics as well as other
Dawg by Boston Dynamics as well as other 3d printable multi-jointed robots that I
3d printable multi-jointed robots that I
3d printable multi-jointed robots that I could study their joint movement and see
could study their joint movement and see
could study their joint movement and see how I could apply that to my project in
how I could apply that to my project in
how I could apply that to my project in this time I also was able to learn how
this time I also was able to learn how
this time I also was able to learn how to use AutoCAD which is an online
to use AutoCAD which is an online
to use AutoCAD which is an online computer-aided design program which is
computer-aided design program which is
computer-aided design program which is similar to CAD which is another kind of
similar to CAD which is another kind of
similar to CAD which is another kind of program that most engineers use I did
program that most engineers use I did
program that most engineers use I did this so I could design my project before
this so I could design my project before
this so I could design my project before going into the third prototype then this
going into the third prototype then this
going into the third prototype then this leads us to where we are today this is
leads us to where we are today this is
leads us to where we are today this is the third and final prototype that I’ve
the third and final prototype that I’ve
the third and final prototype that I’ve built
built
built instead of having tendons with rubber
instead of having tendons with rubber
instead of having tendons with rubber bands and string I actually just made
bands and string I actually just made
bands and string I actually just made another servo to be the knee here is an
another servo to be the knee here is an
another servo to be the knee here is an animation of it being able to pick
animation of it being able to pick
animation of it being able to pick itself back up I know I know
itself back up I know I know
itself back up I know I know oh and here this is a video this is a
oh and here this is a video this is a
oh and here this is a video this is a progression of my robot over the past
progression of my robot over the past
progression of my robot over the past two years so this was at the end of my
two years so this was at the end of my
two years so this was at the end of my sophomore year when I first got the idea
sophomore year when I first got the idea
sophomore year when I first got the idea for it this was the first design that
for it this was the first design that
for it this was the first design that you saw earlier this is the first
you saw earlier this is the first
you saw earlier this is the first prototype as you can see there were many
prototype as you can see there were many
prototype as you can see there were many struggles along the way
struggles along the way
struggles along the way and this is the most recent prototype
and this is the most recent prototype
and this is the most recent prototype and now this is most recent video we
and now this is most recent video we
and now this is most recent video we have a bit walking now you see every
have a bit walking now you see every
have a bit walking now you see every servo movement is a specific degree that
servo movement is a specific degree that
servo movement is a specific degree that we had to input into the code and you
we had to input into the code and you
we had to input into the code and you can see as the code reel oops
can see as the code reel oops
can see as the code reel oops it stands itself back up so each of
it stands itself back up so each of
it stands itself back up so each of these are specific like angles and
these are specific like angles and
these are specific like angles and that’s about it
so as you know I am graduating and my
so as you know I am graduating and my influence on this project is coming to
influence on this project is coming to
influence on this project is coming to an end but next year Oh me next year I
an end but next year Oh me next year I
an end but next year Oh me next year I have two rising juniors Jackie pain and
have two rising juniors Jackie pain and
have two rising juniors Jackie pain and hailey Emmons who will be taking over
hailey Emmons who will be taking over
hailey Emmons who will be taking over this project both young ladies have
this project both young ladies have
this project both young ladies have advanced knowledge in physics coding and
advanced knowledge in physics coding and
advanced knowledge in physics coding and robotics and I know that they’ll be able
robotics and I know that they’ll be able
robotics and I know that they’ll be able to come they’ll be able to continue the
to come they’ll be able to continue the
to come they’ll be able to continue the project in ways that I couldn’t so now
project in ways that I couldn’t so now
project in ways that I couldn’t so now why is this important especially because
why is this important especially because
why is this important especially because as you saw the presentation I did not
as you saw the presentation I did not
as you saw the presentation I did not finish it I did not integrate the bio
finish it I did not integrate the bio
finish it I did not integrate the bio signals into the robot but I know that
signals into the robot but I know that
signals into the robot but I know that with Jackie and Haley continuing it they
with Jackie and Haley continuing it they
with Jackie and Haley continuing it they will be able to hit the ground running
will be able to hit the ground running
will be able to hit the ground running and implement bio signals into the
and implement bio signals into the
and implement bio signals into the project but over the course of the past
project but over the course of the past
project but over the course of the past two years I was able to study and
two years I was able to study and
two years I was able to study and research all of the bio signals in
research all of the bio signals in
research all of the bio signals in isolation I made three different
isolation I made three different
isolation I made three different prototypes I taught myself a CAD program
prototypes I taught myself a CAD program
prototypes I taught myself a CAD program and furthered my knowledge in C++ and
and furthered my knowledge in C++ and
and furthered my knowledge in C++ and Python
Python
Python I studied biomechanics and movement
I studied biomechanics and movement
I studied biomechanics and movement which I then applied to my project this
which I then applied to my project this
which I then applied to my project this project also allowed me to win my
project also allowed me to win my
project also allowed me to win my school’s 2016 engineering ward as as
school’s 2016 engineering ward as as
school’s 2016 engineering ward as as well as being selected as one of the
well as being selected as one of the
well as being selected as one of the statewide winners for the National
statewide winners for the National
statewide winners for the National Center for Women and information
Center for Women and information
Center for Women and information technologies aspiration and computing
technologies aspiration and computing
technologies aspiration and computing award now if you told 15 year old me who
award now if you told 15 year old me who
award now if you told 15 year old me who is intimidated by an elective robotics
is intimidated by an elective robotics
is intimidated by an elective robotics class that one day be recognized for
class that one day be recognized for
class that one day be recognized for in computing I would not have believed
in computing I would not have believed
in computing I would not have believed you but recently I also realized that it
you but recently I also realized that it
you but recently I also realized that it isn’t about the recognition that this
isn’t about the recognition that this
isn’t about the recognition that this project is about its legacy the other
project is about its legacy the other
project is about its legacy the other day a freshman actually came up to me
day a freshman actually came up to me
day a freshman actually came up to me and she said that the reason that she
and she said that the reason that she
and she said that the reason that she wanted to pursue independent science was
wanted to pursue independent science was
wanted to pursue independent science was because of a presentation I gave about
because of a presentation I gave about
because of a presentation I gave about this robot over a year ago and that’s
this robot over a year ago and that’s
this robot over a year ago and that’s what I realized that this impact extends
what I realized that this impact extends
what I realized that this impact extends past me so to anybody to anybody who
past me so to anybody to anybody who
past me so to anybody to anybody who needs to hear it know that it’s not our
needs to hear it know that it’s not our
needs to hear it know that it’s not our inabilities that define us but it’s how
inabilities that define us but it’s how
inabilities that define us but it’s how we overcome them and it doesn’t matter
we overcome them and it doesn’t matter
we overcome them and it doesn’t matter if you think you can’t do something if
if you think you can’t do something if
if you think you can’t do something if you are passionate about a subject and
you are passionate about a subject and
you are passionate about a subject and are willing to be motivated and put in
are willing to be motivated and put in
are willing to be motivated and put in work anything is possible
work anything is possible
work anything is possible even for a girl who’s bad at math but
even for a girl who’s bad at math but
even for a girl who’s bad at math but wants to build robots thank you
wants to build robots thank you
wants to build robots thank you [Applause]
”
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