2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Implementing Virtual Reality Project Activities for Enhancing Student Learning Experience in Robotics and Automation

Presented at Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications in Manufacturing Education

This paper describes the experience of implementing virtual reality (VR) project activities for teaching robotics and automation for students in engineering and engineering technology. This work provides an innovative solution for optimizing learning eﬀectiveness and improving educational outcomes through the development of virtual reality models that can be used and integrated into the existing robotics laboratory. The project activities provide students with opportunities to work with industrial robots. Students complete structured laboratory activities that introduce them to different aspects of applied robotics, including the design of end-effector tooling and fixtures for different tasks. The goal is to apply these VR simulators to train undergraduate engineering, engineering technology students, and professionals in robotics and automation education; and to oﬀer experiential learning opportunities in 3D modeling, simulation, and visualization for robotics and automation. The students were given multiple robotics projects in these courses on robotics and mechatronics. The final projects were assigned to the students with the topics on virtual reality robotics applications related to manufacturing, renewable energy, environment, or other engineering topics. In addition to providing useful lessons in teamwork and project management, the projects provide a working demonstration of an automated system integrated with robotics. The interactive project-based learning gives students an incentive to seek creative solutions to accomplishing project goals.

Authors

Dr. Richard Y Chiou Drexel University [biography]

Dr. Richard Y. Chiou is a Full Professor within the Engineering Technology Program in the Department of Engineering, Society, and Leadership at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA. His educational background is in manufacturing with an emphasis on mechatronics. In addition to his many years of industrial experience, he has taught many different engineering and technology courses at undergraduate and graduate levels. His tremendous research experience in manufacturing includes environmentally conscious manufacturing, Internet based robotics, and Web based quality. In the past years, he has been involved in robotics, sustainable and digital manufacturing for maximizing energy and material recovery while minimizing environmental impact.
Prof. Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng University of Texas at El Paso [biography]

Dr. Bill Tseng is a Professor and Chair of Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering at the UTEP. He is also a Director of Research Institute for Manufacturing & Engineering Systems, the host institute of Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center at UTEP. He received his two MSIE degrees (MFG & DS/OR) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa. Dr. Tseng is also a Certified Manufacturing Engineer from Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Dr. Tseng’s research area cover emergency management, systems engineering, computational intelligence/data analytics and cyber engineering technology. Over the years, he has served more than 10 million dollars as principle investigators sponsored by NSF, NIST, USDT, DoEd, KSEF and industry like LMCO, GM and Tyco Inc. Dr. Tseng delivered research results to many refereed journals such as IEEE Transactions, IIE Transactions, International Journal of Production Research, Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Expert Systems with Applications and other conferences (over 260 refereed publications). He is currently serving as an editor of Journal of Computer Standards & Interfaces (CSI) and editor boards of International Journal of Data Mining, Modeling and Management (JDMMM) and American Journal of Industrial and Business Management (AJIBM). He is currently a Senior Member of Institute of Industrial Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Division Chair of Manufacturing Division of American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE). He is also actively involved in several consortia activities.

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