A collaborative framework for learning robot mechanics: rio-robotics illustrative software

Abstract

An educational software package called RIO (robotics illustrative software) has been designed and developed in order to provide a Web-based learning environment on the subject. RIO integrates the VRML (virtual reality modeling language) model of the robot manipulator and a Matlab /spl trade/ object representing the manipulator's topology and dynamics parameters. The user interface consists of a Java applet displayed by the Web-browser along with VRML model. The applet provides a connection to the remote host running Matlab/spl trade/. A remote PC runs MJS- Matlab/spl trade/ Java server, which is capable of intercommunicating with Matlab/spl trade/, and receives remote users connections. Matlab trade; holds an object of the manipulator being studied, however the user is able to affect the Matlab/spl trade/ object by means of Java applet GUI. Multisessions, involving several users, can be connected to the same Matlab/spl trade/ object over the Internet simultaneously.