Development of a Low-Cost Robotics Platform that Facilitates the Enhancement of Microcomputer Structures and Interfacing Learning Objectives

Robotics has become a common educational tool to teach basic concepts in mathematics, science, engineering, technology, world affairs, and much more. Programs such as For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics are demonstrating that the recipe for student inspiration and learning involves robotics, problem solving, teamwork, and friendly competition. The successes of FIRST robotics programs and results from universities that have integrated robotics platforms into their curriculum provide evidence that infusing robotics platforms and curriculum into engineering departments better their capabilities and increase attractiveness to current and future students. This effort details the design and development of a low-cost robotics platform and seamless set of supporting curriculum. The platform and seamless curriculum set is implemented in the West Virginia University\u27s Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (LCSEE) microcomputer structures and interfacing laboratory, an undergraduate computer engineering course. The results provide detailed information on the robotics platform as well as detailed information on the seamless set of modules that make up the curriculum. The results demonstrate that a subset of students become significantly more motivated and are more willing to work additional hours to improve upon their design as compared to traditional laboratory sessions. These results are significant and demonstrate that robotics and seamless curriculum sets provide a solid platform to introduce computer engineering concepts that inspire and motivate students