Update 04.02.'20: Preliminary meeting slides.

Deploying industrial robots for production means spending vast amounts of money, such that modular robot systems are more and more sought after. Using modular parts, it would possible to generate robot systems which are adaptable to many different tasks, therefore reducing costs. The disadvantage with traditional robots is that even for small production adjustments the whole application needs re-evaluation and re-calibration. With modular robot systems, we automatically evaluate and choose the optimal configuration of modules in case of task changes. Module parameters are stored onto the robot modules and can be automatically retrieved by a central unit, such that a modular robot is able to self-calibrate and able to generate its own controller. 

The objective of this practical course is to design and to build a modular robot for industrial application. Organised in interdisciplinary teams, students solve a variety of design challenges in an engineering manner. In the first phase, the teams come up with possible solutions for their assigned design problem. In the second phase, these solutions are implemented, or built using equipment from our laboratory and the MakerSpace. In the third phase, the working solutions are integrated into the final product.

Upon successful completion of this laboratory, students will be able to understand and apply the theory behind collaborative, modular robots. In addition, they learn about robot programming and control, mechanics, kinematics and dynamics, and user interfaces. Upon completion of the module, students will be able to plan and execute a project as a team.