The Use of Low-Cost RC Servos in a Robotics Curriculum

Small hobby servo motors designed for remote controlled (RC) model cars and airplanes are commonly used actuators by robotic hobbyists. They also serve as actuation for a number of commercially available robotic kits. These inexpensive RC servo motors can serve as a useful low-cost alternative actuation method for student projects and laboratory investigations. This paper discusses two laboratory assignments and two independent student research projects that have used this type of actuation.