Design and practice from the micromouse competition to the undergraduate curriculum

This article has probed an innovative conversion from micromouse competition to a systematic curriculum design that integrates practice with theory. Micromouse competition is an event where small robot mice are designed to solve a 16×16 maze. The process includes multi-disciplinary knowledge such as electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and algorithm design. Limited by the competition rules, micromouse is easy to learn but difficult to master, which provides a high suitability with the teaching processes of foundation courses of embedded system for undergraduate students. This paper elaborates the emphasis, difficulties and innovation of the conversion process, of which the core is student engagement. In the class, students must take part in the whole micromouse design progress to comprehend the interactive method of hardware and software of embedded devices and strengthen the ability of applying professional skills. Students are required to participate in the entire micromouse building process, including welding, assembling, environment building, debugging and finishing the competition in groups. This curriculum focuses on training students´ research interests, competition skills and teamwork spirit. Final examination scores are mainly based on each group´s ranking in the final round, and technology innovators will be given appropriate incentives.