Japanese, U.S. students develop “kawaii” robotic gadgets together online

SIT collaboration with DePauw University aims to deepen cross-cultural understanding

Shibaura Institute of Technology held an online project-based learning (PBL) program with DePauw University of the United States from June 1 to July 17, in which students developed “kawaii” robotic gadgets in virtual spaces and offered feedback to each other. The aim of the program was to deepen cross-cultural understanding.

The program was overseen by SIT Specially Appointed Professor Michiko Ohkura. Also taking part were Professor Hiroko Chiba and Vice President Dave Berque, both of DePauw University; Professor Midori Sugaya and Assistant Professor Peeraya Sripian of SIT’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Postdoctoral Researcher Tipporn Laohakangvalvit of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. One doctoral and three master’s students from SIT and four undergraduate students from DePauw University took part in the project.

Conducting demonstrations with robots in virtual space, debating results of evaluations

The Japanese and U.S. teams exchanged information on a daily basis via Slack or Zoom. They created virtual spaces in which they conducted practical demonstrations with the robots. The instructors and students evaluated the virtual spaces and gadgets according to criteria such as “cuteness.” Then they reported and discussed the results of their evaluations.

The teams held a regular meeting every Wednesday (JST), and Professor Hiroshi Nittono of Osaka University gave a special lecture on June 22.

Results to be used for future international joint research

At a meeting after the program had finished, both Japanese and U.S. students said it had been a precious experience. “The project, held under such circumstances [due to the pandemic] energized us,” said one student. “Thank you very much for allowing me to have this wonderful opportunity,” commented another student who took part in the program.

“It was an invaluable experience for us to successfully end the PBL on schedule despite the coronavirus pandemic by reorganizing the program to use the virtual space, instead of the in-person framework originally planned,” noted one of the instructors. “I would like to continue this, by all means.”
This program is scheduled to be held again next year in conjunction with the Advanced Lecture on Basic Systems, a graduate-level class. The results of the program will be used for future joint research.