The Use of Low-Budget Self-Assembly Sets for Research and Robotics Education

The article presents the possibilities of using easily accessible and inexpensive educational sets in scientific research and the process of robotics education. Such kits allow the exploration of theoretical and practical knowledge taking into account aspects of engineering, such as: mechanics, drive systems, sensor systems, control and programming of robots. Models of robots built from inexpensive components can also be used to test new solutions in the field of construction or control algorithms before they are used in real applications. As an example, the model of the palletizing manipulator for self-assembly was shown, the control of which was based on the Arduino Uno controller, while the drives were implemented using low-cost hobby-grade servos. For the kinematic structure of this manipulator, the forward and inverse kinematics task for the position has been discussed. This constituted the basis for the development of a manual control algorithm implemented in the controller – using a joystick and programmed – based on the data sent to the controller using serial communication from a PC. The article presents the results of the computer simulation of the manipulator kinematics, the hardware and software implementation of the robot model and the effects of its operation. The possibility of expanding the control system with additional elements to increase its functionality was indicated.