Robotics education

Project Title: Teaching Key Robotics Concepts with the Help of Low-Cost Manipulator and Augmented Reality

Funding programme: Creation of Educational Material in Robotics and Automation (CEMRA), IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Budget: $8,500. Additional funding from QMUL: $4,000.

Contributors: Dr Ildar Farkhatdinov, Mr Ata Otaran, Mr Fadi Katerji, Mr Eisa Anwar

In 2019 IEEE Robotics and Automation Society has funded our project on developing low-cost robotics education solution for learning kinematics and control. The project was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions and was restarted in summer 2021. This webpage will be updated by Spring 2022 to include the proposed educational material.

Summary. We proposed to develop and use a two-link manipulator robot together with context-based tangible visual display to interactively teach robot kinematics, control and motion planning. The system is be composed of an actuated mechanism with real-time embedded controller, a computer screen for collocated display and a dedicated application programming interface (API) based on MATLAB/Simulink MathWorks.

 Open Access teaching material 

The following material to be added/updated by Spring 2022:

1. Robotic system design and manufacturing.
   1. CAD files for 3D printing/laser cutting.
   2. Video on CAD and manufacturing.
2. Electronic components and system integration.
   1. DC-motors and position sensing.
   2. Microcontroller.
   3. Integration and quick testing.
3. Theory.
   1. DC motor dynamics and control.
   2. 1-DoF Robotic mechanism, kinematics and dynamics.
   3. Position feedback control of a robotic mechanism with PID regulator.
4. Implementing control and analysis.
   1. Software and open source code.
   2. Controller testing and adjustments.
   3. Analysis.
5. Teaching materials.
   1. Videos
   2. Notes.