Board 83 : A Tale of the Robot: Will Virtual Reality Enhance Student Learning of Industrial Robotics?

Abstract

This work in progress paper describes an ongoing research project examining the feasibility of using consumer-graded virtual reality devices during the design verification stage of industrial robot programming. Modern industrial robot programming is often performed offline using graphics-based programming and simulation software. This computer aided design environment provides experienced robot programmers cost effective features to streamline the acquisition of work information, generate and debug the robot programs, and visually verify the code through simulation before sending to the actual robot for execution. However, these features might not benefit novice learners who do not fully understand robot programming. The cognitive workload resulting from eye-hand coordination (mouse movement corresponding to on-screen pointer action for object manipulation) and mental rotations (three dimensional object rotation in mental space) could distract the learners from paying attention to program errors such as object collisions or sudden robot movement due to robot axis singularity. The robot simulation might turn out to be just another video game to novice learners, and misconceptions can be formed easily.