Provides an introduction to robotic technology, and describes current robot models. Three ways of using robots in education are discussed--as exemplars of other processes, as objects of instruction, and as prosthetic aids--and selection criteria are outlined. (17 references) (CLB)

This training module on the troubleshooting of an electromechanical system, The Westinghouse Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) controlling a pneumatic robot, is used for a troubleshooting unit in an electromechanical systems/robotics and automation systems course. In this unit, students locate and repair a defect in a PLC-operated machine. The…

Describes the development of a robot whose mainframe is essentially transparent and walks on four legs. Discusses various gaits in four-legged motion. Reports on initial trials of a full-sized model without computer-control, including smoothness of motion and actual obstacle crossing features. (CW)

The six new robotics and automated systems specialty courses developed by the Robotics/Automated Systems Technician (RAST) project are described in this publication. Course titles are Fundamentals of Robotics and Automated Systems, Automated Systems and Support Components, Controllers for Robots and Automated Systems, Robotics and Automated…

This electromechanical technician curriculum covers the following general areas: (1) basic soldering; (2) reading diagrams and following schematics; and (3) repairing circuitry and mechanics common to major appliances, vending machines, amusement equipment, and small office machines. The manual includes the following sections: (1) course…

Presented is an overview of the status of robotics education with information about activities and curricula for several European institutions. Some thoughts concerning the structure of a separate robotics curriculum at the university level are included. (Author/YP)

A computer assisted technology training program is described. Technological literacy is defined. A course list for the program and a programing model are provided. (CW)

This publication identifies exemplary programs and human resources in the automated manufacturing technologies. Its purpose is to assist vocational education program planners and curriculum specialists in updating programs and staff skills to prepare for high technology. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 describes the seven U.S. Secretary of…

This document consists of teacher's and student's guides for approximately 10 days of instruction that introduces robotics. The teacher's guide contains the following: an introduction; a daily lesson plan outline; a pretest; answers to the pretest and posttest; a list of student competencies; unit objectives and terms; definitions of terms;…

This task analysis report for the Robotics/Automated Systems Technician (RAST) curriculum project first provides a RAST job description. It then discusses the task analysis, including the identification of tasks, the grouping of tasks according to major areas of specialty, and the comparison of the competencies to existing or new courses to…

This annotated bibliography is intended to provide community college and technical institute personnel with a listing of available curriculum guides dealing with automated technologies. Described in the handbook are a total of 31 curriculum guides that were selected because they met the following criteria: availability in the ERIC system or…

This volume of the final report for the Robotics/Automated Systems Technician (RAST) curriculum project is a curriculum planning guide intended for school administrators, faculty, and student counselors/advisors. It includes step-by-step procedures to help institutions evaluate their community's needs and their capabilities to meet these needs in…

A curriculum was developed to provide the electromechanical skills necessary to operate and repair industrial robots to students at the secondary and adult vocational levels. To determine requirements for entry-level positions in the robotics industry, manufacturers and employers of industrial robots were contacted. No particular entry-level…

This report contains materials to assist teachers and others in designing curricula in robotics. The first section includes the results of a survey of technicians and supervisors in nine companies involved with robots that was designed to gather information concerning the education and training needed to prepare for a career in robotics. The…

This curriculum outline consists of instructional materials and information concerning resources for use in teaching a course in robotics. Addressed in the individual sections of the outline are the following topics: the nature of an industrial robot; the parts of an industrial robot (the manipulator, the power structure, and the control system);…