Virtual Experiments for Integrated Teaching and Learning of Robot Mechanics Using RoboAnalyzer

Increasing number of universities are offering robotics courses at undergraduate and graduate level. Introductory courses on robot mechanics involve topics from matrix multiplication, coordinate transformations and multivariate equations. Often, the physical meaning of concepts in kinematics and dynamics are lost behind the complicated mathematics involved in them. Hence, it may be the case that some fundamental concepts in robot mechanics may not be very intuitive to teach or learn. In order to appreciate the same, robotics teaching/learning software can be integrated into the curriculum. In this paper, the use of RoboAnalyzer, a 3D model based software for teaching and learning a course in robot mechanics is discussed. An integrated coursework that involves virtual experiments and projects in robot mechanics using RoboAnalyzer is also proposed in the paper. The foreseen advantages of using RoboAnalyzer in classroom and laboratory sessions are also discussed.