German Carro Fernandez

Robotics, the New Industrial Revolution

Robots are becoming an important part of the “new social technology” defined by Hirai [1], where finding a robot in any environment is becoming more common. While we are used to finding robots in different environments such as supermarkets, nurseries (e.g., robotic pets), hospitals (e.g., for surgery), or at home (e.g., vacuuming robots), the environment that still has the most robots is industry (e.g., the automotive industry). For that reason, many studies are required to find the appropriate mechanisms to integrate robots at all levels of our society. We must consider issues from many perspectives, such as history, literature, economics, culture, technological developments, electronics, computers, or industry. The conclusions obtained will help us achieve the most positive and beneficial integration of robots with humans.

A Wireless robotic educational platform approach

Along this paper a Wireless Educational Platform approach is presented. The motivations are promoted by the wide range of Internet of Things applications which are being developed day by day. Furthermore, this paper is analyzing the Wireless communications used in the most commonly applications related to educational laboratory environments. Using as basis these two fields, it is introduced an approach of a platform which can be included in classrooms helping teachers when they work on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) educational programs for school students. The presented approach provides system scalability, modular capabilities, reconfiguration possibilities, increased compatibility with a wide range of devices and convenience within educational robotic scenarios.

Flexibility of wireless technologies in learning in robotic laboratories

This article analyzes the use of wireless systems in learning environments and explains the advantages of these when robots are used for educational purposes in recreational and industrial environments. This article reflects the importance that these tools may have in safety, efficiency and productivity of training in learning and e-learning as well as the motivation that this systems cause on the students.

Collaborative robotic educational tool based on programmable logic and Arduino

The aim of this paper is to review the current existing development platforms in order to present one alternative for students as part as an Educational environment. Furthermore, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education is an emerging trend which needs modular, adaptable and easy to use tools, these attention during the educational session. Additionally, this paper covers several applications based on different development platforms used currently.

Robotic Educational Tool to engage students on Engineering

The aim of this paper is to summarize the Work in Progress related to the design of a Collaborative Robotic Educational Tool. This tool arises to improve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) educational programs for school students. The design is intended to cover different specifications such as: scalability, modular capabilities, reconfiguration possibilities and compatibility with the aim of promoting the innovation and the motivation of the students during the learning process. Furthermore, the main objective of the mentioned platform is focused on getting a cost effective tool which can be included easily within educational institutions with a low budget restriction. This platform is intended for students which are able to use textual programming languages. Furthermore, the platform is expected to cost below 100 euros.

Mechatronics and robotics as motivational tools in remote laboratories

In the present times of crisis training is essential, and with that all disciplines that are looking to upgrade knowledge and to allow workers to increase their skills to find a job, improve where they already have or start a freelance career. Regarding engineering disciplines this is even more important owing to the speed at which new technologies are developed and because competition is not only in the products themselves, but also within knowledge and adaptability. This paper shows how the use of mechatronics and robotics in distance education can be a motivational tool to promote retraining of people of different ages (students, workers, students-workers, the unemployed) who with minimal training in engineering want to boost their careers or start new ones.

Rethinking remote laboratories: Widgets and smart devices

Until the last decades, students of distance learning universities had to go to traditional and physical laboratories to acquire practical knowledge and skills. Currently, thanks to the advances in communication and computer networks and the evolution of programming languages, new eLearning tools have emerged that enable the usage of learning methodologies such as blended learning and distance learning. One of them is the remote Web laboratory. A remote Web laboratory is an application which allows students to work with real hardware or instruments. To do this, students only need a computer with an Internet connection. However, emerging technologies and other hardware such as mobile devices, cloud computing and the Internet of Things, require the design of different models to support innovative learning experiences. For this reason, remote labs are being reconsidered to smart device paradigm. Physically, the considered smart device is made of the junction of a controller (computer server) connected to physical equipment on the one hand, and to the Internet on the other hand. This paper describes the process to translate a “traditional” remote Web lab into a set of smart devices which are able to work together in the cloud and the Internet of Things.

Remote robotic laboratory as nexus between students and real engineering

This article analyzes how a remote robotic laboratory can act like nexus between pregraduate students and real engineering. Using single tools as a computer, the Internet access, a server in real laboratory and a robot to connect to this, the students will overcome the problem of the distance in their training. This article reflects the importance that these tools may have in the whole formation of students.

Formation in robotics, the key to integration in industrial environments

This article analyzes the impact of the introduction of robotics in industry today and its impact on workers and unions. It offers possible solutions to reduce or eliminate the rejection of human beings with the introduction of robots in the workplace, and concludes that learning and formation are the keys to do it.

Using common elements to explain electromagnetism to children: Remote Laboratory of Electromagnetic Crane

It is important to bring engineering to young people, and it is better to do so at an early age. In this case, the goal is to show children aged 10-15 years how electromagnetism works, and how we can find it in common tools that surround us. To do so, we are developing a remote laboratory that will be used in the sessions of science and technology in a school. Concept of electromagnetic crane has been chosen because a crane is a common tool. It is an object used in construction and in factories. Using electromagnet power to move metal objects is also a common concept that children can understand. Using these tools as an example, we seek to bring science to everyday life and promote the interests of children and young people in engineering and technology. The aim is to encourage them to seek education in engineering programs in the future, and teach them to understand and appreciate how important technology is. Initially, the laboratory will move left and right in a circumference of 350 degrees and permit up and down different preselected masses. Also, students can increase or decrease the voltage of the electromagnet to raise masses. The entire system will be accessible remotely by the student who will be able to move the crane, activate or deactivate the electromagnet, and lift or take down the masses. At the same time, the user interface displays the image of the laboratory and a graph showing the relationship between the power and its capacity to lift the mass every time the student applies voltage to the solenoid. All of this will allow us to see the effect that the applied voltage has over lifting the mass. This work in progress is associated with different learning environments to adjust the experience at different ages which range between 10 and 15 years. The students will interact with the remote laboratory from their homes, but also, the laboratory can be used in the classroom taking advantage of the data displayed through the user interface. Another objective is to show how engineering and science allow us to control remote objects and measure their effects through technology. Planting in students the seed of curiosity may be a good way to arouse the interest of future engineers.