Robotics Education Faces a Hardware Challenge

With the increased provision of robotics and automation courses in schools, colleges, and universities, the availability of appropriate robotics hardware presents a big challenge. Most of the existing traditional robotics labs rely on only a few big industrial robots to be used by many students. This may lead to limited time for each student to program, test, and control the robot.

One firm that is showing an alternative method is Electromate Inc., which has emphasized on Dobot’s educational robotics line. According to this firm, the use of smaller robots will enable educational facilities to distribute more robotic systems in classrooms and laboratories.

Compact Robots Built for Classrooms

The line of Dobot educational robots includes the Magician Lite, Magician, and six-axis Magician E6. The compact size of the robots allows fitting several units even on regular student desks or laboratory tables.

The base size of the Magician Lite is 146 x 146 mm, and its weight is 2.4 kg. The base size of the Magician is 158 x 158 mm, and its weight is 3.4 kg. The six-axis Magician E6 has the base dimensions of 162 x 120 mm and weighs no more than 7.2 kg.

The robots also differ in their lifting capacity. Thus, the Magician Lite can lift 250 grams, the Magician 500 grams, and the Magician E6 750 grams.

With built-in collision protection and operating capabilities that are suitable for use in a classroom, the robots do not require the installation of large protective barriers common for industrial robots.

Programming Skills Can Develop Over Time

Dobot’s educational solution is built to cater to learners of varying skill levels. The Magician Lite and Magician can be used along with the DobotLab that consists of a visual Blockly-based programming interface.

The beginners can develop robot movements without using any coding skills. As their skills advance, they can learn MicroPython and Python programming.

The Magician also comes with software for PC, apps for smartphones, gesture controls, voice controls, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The advanced level university projects can make use of the six-axis Magician E6 that uses ROS and second development.

One Platform Supports Multiple Subjects

Interchangeable accessories are also available for the robots. Students can attach pick-and-place tools to perform pick-and-place exercises, which they can reconfigure to perform other exercises such as drawing and sorting.

Extra vision and sensors can also increase the possible exercises that students can perform using the hardware.

This way, the same hardware can be used to teach courses on robotics and automation, programming, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electronics, sensors, motion control, machine vision, manufacturing, and industrial automation.

An external Magic Box control unit is also available for the Magician Lite with 12 ports to connect various sensors and accessories.

More Time Learning by Doing

According to Electromate, the Dobot robots were created to assist rather than replace the industrial robots. This is aimed at providing greater opportunities for hands-on training for the learners.

Use of smaller robots at several stations will make it possible for students to have hands-on training with the robotics system through programming and manipulation.

Electromate provides Dobot robots for education purposes to schools in Canada. This firm also helps teachers in selection of suitable robots, accessories, and station arrangements based on the needs of the course, level of students, and number of stations.