Flexible Learning of Control and Automation using Remote Laboratory - GEN360

D. S. Laila, J. Steele-Davies, T. J. Hunt, A. N. Field, O. Bills, L. Chen-Wilson, T. C. Ofoegbu, L. Wollatz, R. Gallo, E. Kovalan, E. Northrop, S. M. Sharkh, P. White

University of Southampton (Engineering Sciences – iSolutions – CITE)

with Adept Scientific Ltd.

10th HEA Annual Conference, Aston University, 2nd -3rd July 2014

https://remotelabs .soton.ac.uk/

OUTLINE

Introduction, motivation

Background, existing remote control labs

System I, Servo

System II, Robotic Arm

Activities

Impacts

Advantages and Added value

Closing remarks https://remotelabs

.soton.ac.uk/

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INTRODUCTION, MOTIVATION

Tele-robotic system: A (semi)-autonomous system that can be controlled

from a distance wirelessly, either using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio control, etc.

Why tele-robotic? Growingly popular tele-robotic applications Growing interest of remote control lab

Supplement physical (hands-on) laboratory Continuous increase of students numbers Limited lab space, expensive equipment Flipped class room model of teaching

BACKGROUND, EXISTING REMOTE LABS

Among many existing tele-robotic labs: ● http://www.weblab.deusto.es ● http://pr2-remotelab.com ● http://act.dii.unisi.it/home.php

Challenges: Purely tele-operation, but not tele-control Sophisticated, but too expensive Off-line, hence not accessible

For control education, the system needs to be and preferably: Allow students to operate, more importantly to control Attractive, but economical, not taking too much space Reliable, sustainably accessible

SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY REMOTE LABORATORY

System I, Architecture

SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY REMOTE LABORATORY

System I, Main Elements

Quanser QET Servo System Raspberry Pi Raspberry camera

System I, Advantages Low cost Lightweight Expandable Reliable

System I, Access https://remotelabs.soton.ac.uk/

SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY REMOTE LABORATORY

System II, Architecture

SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY REMOTE LABORATORY

System II, Main Elements

Quanser SVR2 Servo System Phantom OMNI Robot Laptop 2 Webcams

System II, Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GvD541ulXk

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Students involvement:

Internship (placement awards)

MSc student project Third year individual projects Pre-university student volunteer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XWIDnwSB4E&feature=player_embedded

Activities: University Open Days IEEEXtreme Competition Writing up publications • HEA Conference • European Control Conference (nominated for students best paper)

Presentation in the team technical meetings, conferences Outreach workshop (to be organized)

IMPACTS

Realized impacts: Increase mechatronics students number

• From 3 (12/13) to 33 (13/14) to 54 (14/15)

Increase interest to control engineering modules • From 33 (12/13) to 48 (13/14) to ~100 (14/15)

Increase awareness to the importance of control engineering • Control teaching laboratory is being developed • Control modules are offered to most programmes

Improve employability of interns and project students • Further employment, placement, scholarship

Expected impacts: Improve quality and efficiency of

control engineering learning & teaching Improve skills of graduates Improve graduate employability due to improved skills and confidence

ADVANTAGES AND ADDED VALUE

For students: Having fun Improve control engineering skills and knowledge Work experience Improve employability and opportunities for awards, scholarships Develop network

For researchers: Form a strong teamwork involving staff, students & industrial partner Able to deliver better education to students Improve students quality – personal satisfaction Gain knowledge in both technical and project management aspects Expand network & collaboration, internally and externally Open opportunities to attract funding from other sources Opportunities to do personal hobby while working (Fun)

The project outcome, the tele-robotic systems themselves, are valuable investment with wide range of beneficiaries

CLOSING REMARKS

The project has achieved and will continue to achieve its objectives of Providing facilities for flexible learning Improving students engagement Improving learning and teaching experience Improving employability

The project and the outcome have been:

Excellent learning experience Excellent opportunities for self development and developing others Excellent way to combine education and research Excellent way to develop multidisciplinary network and collaboration Excellent promotional materials

Thanks to the HEA Teaching Development Grant, which has made it possible to realize this project.