Interdisciplinary Innovative Education Based on Modular Robot Platform

Mobile robotics has been used widely in education as a learning tool, as it provides a motivating and interesting tool to perform laboratory experiments within the context of mechatronics, electronics, microcomputer, and control. Lego Mindstorms has been successfully applied at introductory level. However, the number of I/O ports and the processing capacities is very limited and thus is inappropriate for advanced classes at universities. This paper presents the concepts of our modular security and patrol robot with the characteristics of scalability, modularity, flexibility and easy operation. The robot innovative platform made it possible for the students to practice and learn many necessary skills, like collaboration, cognitive skills, self-confidence, perception, and spatial understanding. Interdisciplinary innovative education based on modular robot platform focuses on developing creativity, collaboration, practicing skill, innate ability and personality instead of just imparting knowledge. It is student-oriented and career-oriented. The encouraging results demonstrate that students learn to design and give creative solution to given problems from an interdisciplinary point of view.