Experiential learning through designing robots and generating motion behaviors

This paper considers hands-on learning experiences in analysis and synthesis of mechanisms to generate various motion behaviors. The studies are conducted in a robotics environment based on the kit Rascal, which contains hardware and software components required for desktop construction of various robots. A number of robotic assignments have been performed by technical college, high school and university students. In the paper the projects are considered with regard to the complexity of desired motions and appropriate mechanical configurations. We also discuss educational results achieved through the proposed approach