Robot design using project oriented and collaborative learning tools

Abstract

In the last years applied robotics is being incorporated to the undergraduate curriculum of electrical and mechanical engineering and computer science. Design courses on robotics usually utilize a standard commercial platform, like legos or other educational kits, and the students are given a common task to solve using the kit. However, one of the most important challenges professional engineers must deal with is not only to propose a novel solution for a given problem, but also to identify opportunity areas where they can use their knowledge to develop a new product. Most robotics courses curriculum do not emphasize this process. In this paper we describe a robots design course based on the didactic technique POL (Project Oriented Learning) where the students identify an opportunity area for a robot project application, propose a design, and build a working prototype. The work is done on teams using collaborative learning. Robot design classes under this schema facilitate the students integration of their knowledge in several areas, giving as a product original and creative robotic applications.