1. Design and Implementation of Two Undergraduate Laboratories Teaching PID Controller Design and Robotics Using Simulink and LEGO NXT
- Author
-
Bales, John
- Subjects
- Engineering, Education, Educational Theory, Robotics, LEGO NXT, Laboratory Design
- Abstract
This paper outlines the design and implementation of a novel system to design undergraduate laboratories with. An initial laboratory form was written for the Robotics and Control of Robotic Manipulators class utilizing a LEGO NXT system and the Simulink programming environment. This laboratory form is given to students and then revised after each student group based on answers to a questionnaire, direct observation, and direct questioning during the laboratory period. This process is repeated after each group. This subjective data was gathered and grouped into three groups for analysis. Grouping was used to showcase trends caused by changes made to the lab during the iteration process. The same process is utilized in the Linear Systems Control class. Recommendations are made for future laboratories that will feature the student designed controller from Linear Systems Control in the mandatory tasks assigned during the Robotics class. This allows the student to take previous work and build upon it, exposing them to the design process, and allows the University to receive a larger return on any investments it might make in LEGO NXT systems.
- Published
- 2014