Computer-based system for training and selecting mobile robot operators – evolving software tools

Abstract

A part of research on application of mobots (mobile robots) for watching real environment isthe computer-based system for training and selecting candidates for mobot operators. The gameplayed by the candidates is the main part of the system. The core of the game is touring simulator.Firstly, it was assumed that speed of simulation would be a crucial factor for the game. Hence, theinitial version of the game was written in C++ for LAN. However, the experiments showed thatpromptness of the reaction of the game to the actions of the players was not so important. It turnedout that wide and easy access to the game and its remote management (e.g. via Internet) arenecessary. The current version of the game uses Java technology. Rewriting the game from C++ toJava created typical problems connected with moving an application from LAN to Internet. It wasnot a trivial problem. The paper evaluates and compares both versions of the game and describesproblems with migration from C++ to Java.