Developing a concept of available multi-functional modular robot for education and research

Abstract

The development of educational robotics is caused by the need to develop algorithmic thinking of students and the training of specialists in the technical direction. A number of robotic construction sets and platforms designed to form the competencies for solving complex engineering problems have been developed to ensure the educational process. These tools in educational robotics demonstrate high efficiency however the possibility of acquiring such a kit is limited by both the high cost of the proposal and the lack of ready-made experimental developments on the market. On this basis, the goal of this work is to improve the quality of education in robotics and programming by developing the concept of an affordable multifunctional modular robot based on small spherical robots. The ideas of both design solutions and the software component of the robot control system are proposed in the article. The analysis of the cost of components required for the implementation of the prototype. The advantages, disadvantages and limitations of the proposed solution are analyzed, and the potential applications of the modular robot are investigated. The expected results of the implementation of the proposed solution in the educational process are presented. Copyright 2019 for this paper by its authors