A VR-based Industrial Robot Platform for Interactive Teaching Specialized Courses of Mechatronic Engineering

Abstract

The primary objective of Industry 4.0 is to establish seamless connections between the physical and digital domains. Virtual Reality technology is widely acknowledged as a revolutionary advancement that offers significant technical assistance to many different fields including industry, agriculture and individuals. Since its inception, VR-based education has not gone out of that trend. The paper outlines a methodology for developing virtual interactive applications for the purpose of teaching Mechatronics. Unity software is utilized for creating a three-dimensional virtual robot and its corresponding environment. Subsequently, a user-friendly interface for controlling a robot is constructed. Finally, a lesson plan was developed for the virtual interactive teaching approach in the industrial robot course for the undergraduate Mechatronics Engineering program. The integration of a quantitative evaluation approach, along with the subsequent self-assessment conducted by students upon completion of the module, has unequivocally shown enhancements and efficacy across several competencies with increases ranging from 85 to 92%. The utilization of virtual reality and interactive learning within virtual environments, together with the guidance of instructors, has significantly improved the learning experience and problem-solving abilities of engineering and technology students, enabling them to fulfill the required performance criteria.