Robots enhance engineering education

Abstract

The authors describe an introductory electrical engineering laboratory at Texas Tech University, USA, which provides opportunities for students to learn to make measurements utilizing standard test equipment in the department. Secondly, they design an autonomous robot powered by a Motorola 68HC11 microcontroller, which causes the vehicle to follow a white path on a black background and execute actions at prescribed locations. Different functional requirements were provided for designers in two consecutive semesters, and the students were able to utilize their preferred learning style and to learn how to work as teams, incorporating significant portions of the department's Continuous Quality Improvement program.