A low-cost modular robot for research and education of control systems, mechatronics and robotics

Modular robotics has been an active area of research for the last decade, which also could be an excellent platform for education. This paper describes the ldquoNEURobotrdquo, a modular, multi-functional robot, used in Hands-on practical of control theory, mechatronics and robotics taught to engineering students. We describe all aspects of the NEURobot, including mechanism, control electronics; communication architecture and programming environment. Modular robot encourages the creativity and imagination of the students, while ensuring that the students put in practice fundamental laws of control they are taught in class. Notable innovations include the design of a new core servo unit module and an integrated programming environment supporting modeling, simulation, 3D visualization and rapid control prototyping. We show that NEURobot could be an idea platform for research and education in robotics related specialty.