An Interactive Robot for Educating College-Bound Students About Engineering Disciplines

Abstract

The objective of this project is to design and build a ball-throwing robotic arm for the purpose of high school visits. When taken to local high school physics classes, this ball-throwing arm experience will present college bound high school students with a series of activities that will allow them to interact with typical challenges found in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. Stimulating interest and understanding of engineering challenges amongst younger students is critical in helping them make informed decisions affecting future careers in engineering. The key challenges in this project include: (1) designing an appropriate robotic arm; (2) building it; (3) creating a computer implemented control system which can converge two positions and two velocities at a pre-specified instant in time; and (4) preparing exciting interactive presentations and support materials that will effectively educate high school students about their career interests.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 03, 2001
Accession Number
ADA402995

Entities

People

  • Kent Jensen

Organizations

  • University of Utah

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Electronic Mail
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Instructors
  • Joints (Anatomy)
  • Materials
  • Mathematical Models
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Schools
  • Security
  • User Interface

Readers

  • Robotics and Automation.
  • STEM Education
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • Autonomy