Low-Cost Open-Source Robotics for Education
Brennan Miller-Klugman, Yali Izzo, Corey Comperchio, Marisha Rawlins · 2024
Abstract In recent years, robotics in the classroom has become a popular form of teaching STEM topics to young students. The modular and freeform nature of robotics allows students to exercise creativity while exploring concepts in STEM fields such as programming, engineering, electronics, and more. However, one underlying issue has prevented robotics in the classroom from being more widely adopted – cost. Many of the high-end student focused robots offer a myriad of features but trade a high cost for additional functionality; while many lower-cost options do exist, but these do away with many creature comforts in an attempt to lower the price. The WitBot was designed as an affordable, open source, and modular alternative to popular educational robotics platforms. Using off-the-shelf components including a Raspberry Pi Zero, and a number of readily available sensors, the WitBot is able to complete many of the same tasks as much more expensive units. The design goals of the WitBot were to remain cost-effective, user friendly, and open source. The open-source nature of the WitBot is critical in allowing students to exercise creativity, be it by adding additional components via the 3D printed chassis, or by adding additional blocks to the Blockly control interface. If interested, an end-user could even go as far to forgo the WitBot web interface in favor of a custom solution or add additional functionality to the existing open-source code. A provided image file can easily be burned to a Raspberry Pi compatible micro-SD card in order to quickly deploy new WitBots. The comprehensive user guide provides build instructions, either to be completed by a student or an adult, and covers all topics from bot assembly to software deployment. A custom lesson plan was constructed to introduce a number of key programming concepts such as loops and conditionals, aimed at students within the age range of 8 to 10 years old. The low-cost design goal of the WitBot was put in place to help robotics become available to more audiences. Building multiple WitBots at once lowers the price considerably due to the cost savings of buying wires, resistors, and other electrical components in bulk. While building a single WitBot is a viable option, building in bulk allows the WitBot to match the price of even the cheapest competitors while offering advantages. Included in the WitBot's many advantages is the on-board Linux-based Raspberry Pi which allows users to program in any language they are comfortable in, not just limiting them to C or Micro-Python like other products on the market. This idea of end-user customization across all hardware and software aspects is core to the WitBot and is reflected in every part of the design.