ILXO/projects

Group Projects

To be determined!

Individual Projects

Off-Grid Charger Design

This project explores different possibilities for off-the-grid power charging peripherals for the XO. This includes evaluating the performance, lifecycle, human factors issues and feasibility of existing power options for the XO and expanding this list to include other existing peripherals. Chris is also working on the development of new power generating peripherals, particularly focusing on using appropriate technologies to allow users to develop simple power generating systems from scratch with minimal need for imported components. Results from this summer will be compiled into a “power generation” guide to help both XO users and developers learn from these findings and continue to help develop new power systems for the XO or for other applications.

Signal Processing

It should be possible to allow children to do fairly sophisticated signal processing work on the XO by using the camera and microphone as primary inputs and doing image and audio processing. As a first step, Nikki will work on edge detection and edge tracing in order to develop motion detection using the camera. Motion detection can be integrated with a number of existing Activities. Additional signal processing work might include audio processing, such as developing filters for microphone input. Such filters could potentially work in conjunction with introductory circuits educational content in demonstrating high-pass and low-pass filters. Emphasis will be placed on making the interfaces to the signal processing tools adapted/produced as transparent as possible so that children will be able to manipulate them.

Science Education Kits

Andrea is designing a science "kit" for use with the XO that includes curriculum designs for various experiments and topics along with software and hardware/sensors to support these. She will be focusing on physics (mechanics, E&M) as well as an introduction to RC circuits and working with local students and teachers to design and field-test experimental apparati, as well as exploring new uses of current Activities (with particular emphasis on Measure).

Accessibility (Mel Chua)

Will be written at some point.

Language learning through RPGs

Melanie Kim, a mini-intern this summer will attempt to build an RPG which teaches users of the program to teach foreign languages. Spanish is the foreign language to be used during the summer. The program will, if successful, teach users by activities within the game. This might include sending the player on "Quests". For example, if the vocabulary the user was studying was for use to describe parties and objects typically found at parties, the quest might be to sent the player off to find said objects.

Additional Projects

Green machine: The environmental impact of XOs (Mia Kato)