Thursday, October 1, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
KU students develop soccer-playing robots
By Julie M. Sachs
Kansan staff writer
Robots playing soccer may sound like something from a science fiction movie, but for two KU students it is a reality.
Isaac Ellis, Overland Park junior, and Michael Turvey, Lawrence sophomore, are working to create soccer-playing robots that may compete against other artificial athletes.
win the neap of Arvin Agah, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, Ellis and Turvey are developing software that will give the robots the ability to make decisions.
Ellis won $1,000 last year for his idea to design the robots.
Creating the software involves combining characteristics of simulated robotic players in a Japanese-designed computer program.
Each computer player contains
The characteristics of the newly created robot are then installed into the robotic athlete. This process is repeated until a full team of robots is assembled.
assembled.
Ellis said he hoped that he and Turvey's creations would qualify to compete in the RoboCup, the robotic equivalent to soccer's World Cup. The international showdown will be in Japan this summer, Agah said.
Ellis and Turvey are not working with the actual robots but they said that computers have made their experimentations easier.
"Just now has the computer come fast enough and cheap enough to explore artificial intelligence," Ellis said.
Robots designed to play soccer under the guidance of Arvin Agah, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, sit on a special playing grid. A television camera monitoring the movement of the ball will eventually allow a computer to instruct the robots how to react. Photo by Jay Sheperd/KANSAN
Lewd materials removed from Web
Students may be asked to remove offensive materials from sites
By Liz Wristen
Kansan staff writer
Each year, the University of Kansas Computer Center deals with about three complaints concerning student Web sites that contain offensive materials.
These materials may be so upsetting to a student that the person who maintains the site is asked to remove them.
remove them.
This fall a sophomore at the University posted some material on his Web site that was deemed pornographic by a former student. The student who posted the material said he chose to post the pictures on his Web page because he wanted something to do with his time. The complaint resulted in him deleting the material.
In dening the matte Jason Fizell, May 1998 graduate.
complained about the material. He thought the University should set up some guidelines for students to follow when designing their Web sites.
Jerry Niebaum, director of the academic computing center and assistant vice chancellor for information technology services, said that students have the right to post any information on their Web sites, but the site may not be used to violate any state or federal laws
"We are really sensitive about the First Amendment because we don't want to stand in the way of students expressing themselves in ways they feel are appropriate." Niebium said. "But typically if someone is putting material such as nude pictures on their Web site then they are probably from another source, and usually a copyright applies to those pictures."
Right applause to authorize are in the Web site guidelines are in the process of being written for student use, said Wes Hubert, assistant director of academic computing
services.
services.
The guidelines, called Netiquette, will be available next month both online and in a written brochure form, said Bill Crowe, vice chancellor for information services and dean of libraries. They will provide information and tips for students to be aware of when designing their Web site.
"We don't pro-actively monitor student Web sites," Hubert said. "We investigate complaints, but we don't go looking for material that may be inappropriate."
may beMapped. Greg Smith, treasurer of the Kansas University Campus Internet Association, said that he thought that of the students who had e-mail addresses, only about 25 percent of them maintained a Web site.
"I think the students who post it are only doing it to show off to their friends and those around them," Smith said. "They don't usually show it to outside sources, which is why they aren't usually caught."
Monthly Activities
30
Un Pasado Orgulloso con un Futuro Brillante A Proud Past: A Bright Future
Spanish Department Expo
Westcoe 9:30-11:30 A.M.
Culture Clash in Hollywood Alderson Auditorium 7:00 PM
Latin American Studies
Merienda Lecture Series
Walnut Room 12:00 PM
Culture Clash Potluch
St. Lawrence Center 7:00 PM
Culture Clash Performance and Information Table
Lied Center 830 E.M.
United States Hispanic Leadership Conference
Chicago, IL (2-4)
Merienda Lecture Series
Walnut Room 12:00 PM
Kick-Off Party
Coco Loco 9:00 PM
13 Love Sees No Color
Experiences in Interracial Dating
MRC 6:30 PM
Ballet Folklorico
Kansas Union 12:00 p.M.
16 Los Dancantes de St. John's
Kansas Union 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
Marathon Literature
Reading
Kansas Union 1:00 - 4:00 PM.
22 Merienda Lecture Series
Big 12 Room 12:00 PM
15 Merienda Lecture Series
Walnut Room 12:00 PM
20 Latinas in Power
Alderson Auditorium 4:00 PM
23 Calero Group Kansas Union 12:00 PM
27 Opportunities: Hispanics in the Work Force MRC 630 PM
24,25,26
SUA Film Eesta
Woodruff Auditorium
29 Merienda Lecture Series
Big 12 Room 12:00 pm
30 Old Group Kansas Union 12:00 P.M.
The University of Kansas
10. 00-8.00 M-F, 10.00-3.00 Sat.
- Monday Sept. 28, 8:00 p.m.
NATIONAL ENDUCTION FOR THE ARTS
Writers' Salon & Lawrence Community Theatre, PRIME
Wednesday Sept. 30, 7:00 p.m.
Culture Clash in Hollywood
Lecture/Demonstration, FREE!
Sponsored by the Lied Center Series and Halo
www.ukans.edu/~lied
Tickets on sale at the Lied Center Box Office (785) 848-ARTS or call Ticketmaster at (785) 2345-4545 or (819) 931-3300.
LIBERTY HALL 644 Mar
7489 1012
THE GOVERNESS (R) 4:30
SMOKE SIGNALS (PG-13)
w. libertyhall.net
CANNONDALE
M400
TERRAPLANE
225 IOWA
925 10WA
Council Travel
CREE: Council on International
Educational Exchange
Council Travel
Lawrence
622 West 12th Street
[7851-749-3900
www.counciltravel.com
FRIDAY,OCTOBER 2,1998
Starting at Dusk (8:30ish) Behind Ellsworth Hall On the Big Lawn! Bring your parents!!! Rain Location: 308 Dyche Hall Call SUA at 864-3477 for info. FREE MOVIE
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