Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Artificial Intelligence

The word “robot” typically conjures up images of humanlike machines capable of specific tasks — not LEGOs. For a group of Middlebury College students, however, the two go hand in hand. As part of the school’s January term, the LEGO Robot Design Studio combines these brightly colored blocks with computer science concepts and programming. Creative design, electronics and abstract reasoning culminate in working, moving structures. Small teams show off their final projects in an interactive exhibit, or “talent show.” Past years’ robots have played the piano, painted on a canvas and picked up objects with great dexterity.