duckietown.org

Hands-on AI and robotics education with self-driving cars.

Freemium

Description

Duckietown provides an accessible and engaging ecosystem for individuals and institutions to explore the world of artificial intelligence and robotics. The platform centers around "Duckiebots," small-scale self-driving cars, and a miniature smart city environment called "Duckietown." It combines hardware kits, a versatile software stack including a simulator, and comprehensive educational materials designed to facilitate hands-on learning experiences.

This educational initiative is tailored for a diverse audience, including individual learners eager to understand AI concepts, instructors seeking practical tools for their classrooms, and researchers looking for a reproducible experimental setup. Duckietown aims to democratize robotics education and research by offering modular and scalable solutions, allowing users to start with basic concepts and progressively tackle more complex challenges in autonomy and machine learning.

Key Features

Self-Driving Car Kits (Duckiebots): Miniature autonomous vehicles for hands-on learning, powered by Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson Nano.
Smart-City Environment (Duckietown): A modular, configurable physical environment for Duckiebots to navigate.
Duckietown Simulator: Software for testing algorithms and learning AI concepts without physical hardware.
Open Autonomy Software: A comprehensive open-source software stack for developing autonomous functionalities.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Structured courses covering simulation and hardware tracks for AI and robotics education.
Modular Hardware System: Allows scaling setups with Duckiebots and Duckiedrones (available on request).
Instructor Resources and Support: Includes priority support, dedicated class channels, and teaching materials for educators.
Community Access: Connects users to a global community for support and collaboration.

Use Cases

Hands-on AI and robotics education for students at various levels.
Developing and delivering university-level courses on autonomy and robotics.
Individual learning and skill development in self-driving car technology and AI.
Prototyping and academic research in autonomous systems and robotics.
Facilitating reproducible experiments in a standardized robotics environment.
Engaging in educational AI and robotics competitions like Duckietown Challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Duckietown robots available worldwide?

Yes, Duckietown robots are available for worldwide shipping, though specific access restrictions may apply to certain regions.

Is hardware included in the free Duckietown Personal plan?

No, the free Duckietown Personal plan for individual learners does not include hardware; it provides access to the Duckietown Shell, Simulator, MOOC (sim track), and documentation.

What is the return policy for Duckietown hardware?

Duckietown hardware, such as that included in the Roboticist experience or Classroom Kits, typically offers a 30-day return policy.

What kind of support is available for instructors?

Instructors can access priority technical support, dedicated class channels within the Duckietown community, and early access to new teaching resources through plans like the "Professor experience" or "Class-in-a-box".

Can Duckietown setups be customized?

Yes, Duckietown offers tailored solutions where fleet size, city complexity, and other aspects can be customized. Duckiedrone-based classroom kits are also available upon request.