[nabs-l] My Latest Project

[Kelly]

Chris:
     Based on Disney's Wallie, Cozmo is a small robot that resembles a model car, with tank treads and a tiny, front-mounted forklift.
     Although it was originally designed as a STEM toy for young children, its manufacturer (Anki), has recently expanded the product's capabilities.  Specifically, the Cozmo app now includes a code lab, which is used to program the robot to talk, recognize faces, and search for and interact with objects.  The code lab offers a simple introduction to programming, but the real educational value is in Cozmo's SDK (software development kit).  Through the combined use of the app and SDK, students can learn and practice the Python programming language.
     Since Cozmo is relatively new, there is not a lot of widespread classroom use as of now.  However, several universities have begun to integrate the robot into their computer science classes.
     Personally, I care about this issue because STEM learning robots are the future of computer science education for students of all ages.  By working to make this software accessible, we could set an example for other companies now so that we can all use similar tools in the future.
Here is an article about Cozmo's SDK that you may find useful, as well as Cozmo's home page:
1. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/version-1468272030-2/amp/
2. https://anki.com/en-us/cozmo

Thank you very much for your interest!  Please feel free to contact me again if you have any additional questions.
Kelly
Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 17, 2017, at 23:02, Chris Nusbaum via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Kelly:
> 
> Could you tell us a little more about what this Cosmo Robot does and what it
> is used for in the context of STEM education? I would also be curious to
> know if anyone has actually used this program in the classroom and, if so,
> what experiences you have had. Perhaps this is something which needs
> attention from NABS or the Federation, but I think we would need to know
> some further information before we get behind a petition or campaign.
> 
> Thank you for your efforts to increase accessibility in the STEM fields!
> 
> Chris
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelly via
> NABS-L
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 1:30 AM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Kelly <yllekann at gmail.com>
> Subject: [nabs-l] My Latest Project
> 
>>> Hello, everyone,
>>>>>     Recently, one of my friends discovered an amazing computer
> programming learning tool developed by Anki, called the Cozmo robot.
>>>>> 
>>>>>     We were excited of course (the robot is very fun to play with
> after all, and we have always wanted to learn computer programming), but
> when we downloaded the app that is used to control it, we were dismayed and
> frustrated to find that it is totally inaccessible with VoiceOver.
>>>>> 
>>>>>     We then wrote to Anki customer care to inform them of the issue,
> and received a form letter giving no indication that they had read or
> processed our email.
>>>>> 
>>>>>     So we drafted this petition in hopes that, if we gather enough
> support, the developers will realize that accessibility is a concern which
> must be taken seriously.  We did this not just for the many blind and
> visually impaired people who could be enjoying and learning from the Cozmo
> application and others like it, but also for all app developers, so that
> they may understand the barriers created by inaccessible software.
>>>>> 
>>>>>     If you support STEM education and learning opportunities for the
> blind, accessible software development, and/or equal opportunities for all
> children to learn programming, we invite you to sign our petition by
> clicking the link below or simply copying and pasting the URL into your
> address bar, then filling out the form.  Your information will be kept
> private and is only used by change.org .
> https://www.change.org/p/anki-make-stem-education-through-the-cozmo-app-acce
> ssible-to-all
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thank you in advance for your support of our project!
>>>>> Kelly
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