Digital Twins for TU/e Robotics Education
Summary of the project
This innovative initiative aims to enhance robotics education at TU/e by providing students with a ready-to-use digital twin/virtual world. This platform will allow students to validate their hardware and software designs in close-to-real scenarios, facilitating a deeper understanding of the challenges in developing robotics technology.
Background Information: Since January 2024, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e has established a new section dedicated to robotics education and research. This section leads several courses, including the bachelor CBL course "Robots Everywhere" and master courses such as Mobile Robot Control and Robot Motion Planning and Control. The development and testing of algorithms on physical robotic hardware are crucial but often time-consuming and resource-intensive. This project addresses these challenges by creating a rich digital twin/virtual world environment that simulates sensorial input and complex robotic models. This environment will enable students to apply their knowledge to realistic scenarios without the barriers of physical hardware limitations. Additionally, the project aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration by creating a shared simulation platform for various courses. This initiative aligns with TU/e's vision of advancing robotics education and research, positioning the university at the forefront of this field.
Aim of the project
The primary aim of the "Digital Twins for TU/e Robotics Education" project is to develop and implement a robust digital twin/virtual world platform that supports students in validating their robotics designs.
Project Objectives:
- Facilitate Deep Learning: By providing a digital twin/virtual world, we aim to help students gain a deeper understanding of robotics challenges through practical validation of their designs.
- Enhance Interdisciplinarity: The project seeks to increase interdisciplinarity in robotics education by creating a shared simulation platform for various courses, including "Robots Everywhere," Mobile Robot Control, and Robot Motion Planning and Control.
- Improve Practical Experience: The digital twin will allow students to experiment with mechatronic and algorithm designs easily, using a library of virtual sensors and actuators.
- Reduce Technical Barriers: By eliminating the need for extensive preparatory work, students can focus on the core learning objectives and dive deeper into the subject matter.
The project will involve creating simulation environments of TU/e buildings, such as Atlas and Neuron, and developing URDF models of robots available in the robotics lab. The digital twin will be accessible without the need for software installation, and students will be able to interact with it using various programming languages. The ultimate goal is to empower students with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in robotics education and research, fostering a more innovative and collaborative learning environment.
Results and learnings
This project is still ongoing.
For more information, please contact:
