Comparison of Open-Source Robotics Platforms for Undergraduate Education

Abstract

Open-source platforms are the best option when it comes to providing low-cost hands-on learning experiences. A large variety of open-source robotics platforms have been developed over the past decade, making it difficult for an educator to select a platform that is most appropriate for the task at hand. This paper presents a comparative analysis of widely used open-source robotic platforms for their suitability for concept demonstration in undergraduate teaching and learning. The evaluation was done on a multitude of criteria but mainly focused on the availability of hardware, degree of documentation, and functionality. A detailed comparison of platforms and peers in the sub-category is made, so that educators can use the data to select the most appropriate open-source platform for their application.