Abstract: This invention relates to a computer implemented method and a computer program product for simulating a 3D object in a browser and sharing that simulation with a plurality of other users on other client devices. There is provided an in-browser simulator comprising: a rendering engine: a physics engine; and an application programming interface (API) mapping the functions of the physics engine to the rendering engine. The API is configured to establish a communication link with the other client devices and to share the simulation data with those devices over the established communication link. In one embodiment, multiple client devices can share their simulations contemporaneously and simulations on one client device can interact with simulations on other devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer implemented method and a computer program product for providing a virtual robotics programming competition. The method comprising the steps of on a server, providing access for a remote client device to a physics library, a physics engine, a rendering engine and an application programming interface (API) mapping the functions of the physics engine to the rendering engine; setting a programming challenge for a user operating the remote client device; receiving a simulation computer program code for a virtual robot from the remote client device; miming the simulation computer program code in a challenge environment; and grading the performance of the simulation computer program code. The performance of the simulation computer program code can be judged based on the results of a live multiplayer robot battle. In this way, students may compete against each other in robotics competitions without the expense and other pitfalls of having to travel to remote locations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer implemented method and a computer program product for simulating a 3D object in a browser and sharing that simulation with a plurality of other users on other client devices. There is provided an in-browser simulator comprising: a rendering engine; a physics engine; and an application programming interface (API) mapping the functions of the physics engine to the rendering engine. The API is configured to establish a communication link with the other client devices and to share the simulation data with those devices over the established communication link. In one embodiment, multiple client devices can share their simulations contemporaneously and simulations on one client device can interact with simulations on other devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for teaching computer programming comprising a robot farm, a plurality of remote computing devices and a server. The robot farm comprises a plurality of pods, each housing a robot and having a video camera to capture live video of the robot in the pod. The computing devices are each associated with a robot and transmit control commands to the robot to cause the robot to carry out an action and in return receive live video footage of the robot. The server communicates with the robots, the video cameras and the plurality of remote computing devices to relay control commands from the computing devices to the robots and live video from the video cameras to the computing devices. The computing devices further comprise a user interface having panes, including a programming pane for receipt of control commands, and a video feed pane for displaying video feed of the robot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a computer program product for teaching computer programming comprising program code for rendering a user interface on a user computing device. The user interface comprises a programming pane, a compiler and a video feed pane. The programming pane is operable to receive control commands from a user, the compiler is operable to compile the control commands and the video feed pane comprises a robot emulator and a background, both for display simultaneously in the video feed pane. The robot emulator is operable to move the robot relative to the background in the video feed pane. This gives the impression to the user that they are operating a robot. Purchase of a physical robot is not needed by the user while they derive the majority of the benefits of learning to program with a robot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for teaching computer programming comprising a robot farm, a plurality of remote computing devices and a server. The robot farm comprises a plurality of pods, each housing a robot and having a video camera to capture live video of the robot in the pod. The computing devices are each associated with a robot and transmit control commands to the robot to cause the robot to carry out an action and in return receive live video footage of the robot. The server communicates with the robots, the video cameras and the plurality of remote computing devices to relay control commands from the computing devices to the robots and live video from the video cameras to the computing devices. The computing devices further comprise a user interface having panes, including a programming pane for receipt of control commands, and a video feed pane for displaying video feed of the robot.