Spatial learning of novice engineering students through practice of interaction with robot-manipulators

Abstract

This paper presents a study in which learning interactions of novice engineering students with robot manipulators focus on training spatial skills. To support the interactions, we customized the robots’ workspaces, designed virtual robotic cells, and developed robot manipulation tasks with oriented blocks. 20 high school students (HSS) majoring in mechanics and 248 Technion first-year students (TS) participated. The study indicated that following the training, the HSS improved their performance of spatial tests, and the TS gained awareness of spatial skills required to handle industrial robot systems.