MOTION CONTROL AND COORDINATION PLATFORM FOR MOBILE ROBOTS

The training of a mechatronics engineer requires the application of a variety of skills in different projects. The "Robotics Project" optional module is aimed at 5th year Electromechanics students, who will be able to read up on a wide range of subjects such as embedded systems, sampled systems, automatics, robotics, machine control, programming and IOT, all of which form part of the training curriculum for Mechatronics engineers (standards 1,2,3). The implementation of a servo-controlled mobile platform highlights the different variants listed in a pedagogical approach that links these different modules in a single project. This project provides engineering students with a global vision of their field, putting into practice a range of knowledge that students may not see in the modules in question or in previously developed projects. This generalization of practices touches on knowledge encompassing several modules. This approach takes the form of a workshop to review the theoretical notions already studied and link them up with the project (standards 4). The first workshops focus on embedded systems and machine control, using microcontroller boards to read encoders and set the appropriate command. Then, the interpretation of velocity is done through the choice of an echo frequency (standard 5). To finalize the work, we are connecting each robot so that it can send back its position wirelessly via an IOT communication protocol (standards 6,7,8). A second version of the project is developed this year with a different robot model. To achieve more satisfactory results, we have introduced more guided sessions to focus more closely on the desired learning outcomes through skills-based learning scenarios. The results of this second approach are still in progress. The whole platform is used as a validation tool for a group robotics platform to test different group motion algorithms. A positive results of student survey highlight the crucial role of practical projects in preparing mechatronics engineers for the dynamic professional landscape, with continuous improvements ensuring the module's sustained efficiency.