Introduction to Control Education with the Unibotics web framework

Abstract

This paper presents the Unibotics platform, a simulation framework for teaching robotics in university courses. It allows students to program robots from the web browser in Python, using novel and current technologies such as ROS middleware and Gazebo robotics simulator. Unibotics provides an interface that hides the initial complexity of installing and dealing directly with ROS, Gazebo or MoveIt and allows students to focus on the algorithmic aspects of robotics. In addition, this article describes two teaching experiences of using Unibotics with real higher education students to introduce robot control. First, with Computer Science students in an elective Robotics course at U. Complutense Madrid. Second, with students of "Automation and Industrial Robotics" course of Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering degree at U. Rey Juan Carlos. Both experiences have been successful and they will be continued in the next course.