Education with Robots Inspired in Biological Systems

This paper presents one methodology for teaching engineering students, which relies on open platform requiring basic knowledge of robotics, like mechanics, control or energy management. Walking robots are well known for being able to walk over rough terrain and adapt to various environments. Hexapod robots are chosen because of their better stability and higher number of different gaits. However, having to hold the whole weight of the body and a large number of actuators makes all walking robots less energetically efficient than wheeled robots. This platform endows students with an intuitive learning for current technologies, development and testing of new algorithms in the area of mobile robotics and also in generating good team-building.