Design of a Cell Phone-controlled Bionic Robot

This paper describes a mechatronics design-based architecture to build a cell phone controlled bionic robot in a robotics and mechatronics laboratory course. Bionic Robotics allows students to develop their knowledge of engineering and become familiar with a variety of advanced components that are used. This knowledge can benefit students in fields such as mechanical, electrical, industrial, and bio-Engineering. Providing students with a hands-on approach when teaching robotics classes enables students to become aware of how mechatronic design and computer control can drastically influence the downstream design and testing processes. Materials, methods, and tools are outlined, including the use of servomotors and microcontroller-based control systems. Students in the Engineering Technology program are required to work with this robotic experiment as part of a laboratory session in the “MET 205 Robotics and Mechatronics” class. The project provides students with such robot design experience and enables them to improve their robotic skills by using wireless microcontrollers for performing different robotic applications.