2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and innovation, the conventional boundaries that once confined individual fields of study are becoming increasingly blurred. Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of engineering. For instance, the field of robotics and automation demands a fusion of diverse soft skills and knowledge from sociology, psychology, and business, in addition to technical knowledge from Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering. While the demand for interdisciplinary knowledge is undeniable, there are formidable challenges that arise when offering business, sociology, or psychology education to engineering students. Bridging the gap between these diverse worlds can be a complex endeavor, requiring innovative pedagogical approaches and a nuanced understanding of how to integrate this acumen into engineering curricula. To address that, we designed an educational research project that delves into the effectiveness of business education for engineering students studying robotics and autonomous systems. We aim to examine whether the integration of business education equips these budding engineers with the holistic skill set required to meet the industry's evolving demands. We are using pre- and post-interdisciplinary surveys and pre- and post-activities focused on problem framing. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are used to measure their perceived and actual interdisciplinary learning. By assessing the impact of interdisciplinary education on the future creators of cutting-edge robotic technologies, we seek to illuminate the path toward a new breed of engineers – individuals who are not only technically proficient but also well-versed in the nuances of entrepreneurship and business acumen.
In future years, students will take additional interdisciplinary coursework focused on training students in applied psychology to conduct user experience research for the purposes of integrating user feedback into the technical design features of the robots and autonomous systems in development. Replicating the design of the business course evaluation, pre- and post-course surveys coupled with content analysis of student problem-based learning projects will be used to evaluate the development of an interdisciplinary mindset, communication, teamwork, research ethics, and project management skills. Together, this work will shed light on the pivotal role of interdisciplinary education in shaping the engineers of tomorrow, poised to transform the landscape of robotics and automation.