Recent Advances in Educational Robotics by S.A. Chatzichristofis [Scholarly Article - Electronics, February 2023]

Title:

Recent Advances in Educational Robotics

 

Author:

Savvas A. Chatzichristofis 

Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Neapolis University Pafos, Pafos 8042, Cyprus

Published:

Electronics, Volume 12, Issue 4, 12 February 2023

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/4/925

Abstract:

The widespread use of artificial intelligence and robotics contributes, among other things, to create a new scientific field that aims to modernize and disrupt education. The term ’educational robotics’ is being introduced as a learning tool and definitively transforming young people’s education. At the same time, however, it is helping to create a fast-growing new industry that produces educational robots and tools. Companies with a long tradition, either in the creation of robotic equipment or in the production and distribution of toys, are setting up appropriate divisions and supplying the market with electronic devices for educational robotics. This new market is overgrowing and is rapidly becoming an investment attraction. According to MarketsandMarkets research, the educational robotics market is projected to grow from USD 1.3 billion in 2021 to USD 2.6 billion by 2026. Notably, the educational robotics market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.1% from 2021 to 2026. At the same time, however, the field is attracting many startups securing independent funding for equipment design and implementation and independent efforts competing for funding from crowdfunding platforms. More than 2000 ideas have recently secured funding to build and distribute educational robotics tools through Kickstarter-type platforms. However, what is educational robotics, and how is it expected to transform how the next generation is educated?

Enhanced Robots as Tools for Assisting Agricultural Engineering Students’ Development [Scholarly Article - Electronics, 2022]

Title:

Agricultural Engineering Students’ Development 

 

Authors:

Dimitrios Loukatos, Maria Kondoyanni, Ioannis-Vasileios Kyrtopoulos & Konstantinos G. Arvanitis

 

Published:

Electronics, 1 March 2022

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/11/5/755

 

Abstract:

Inevitably, the rapid growth of the electronics industry and the wide availability of tailored programming tools and support are accelerating the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. The latter transformation seems to foster the hopes for tackling the depletion and degradation of natural resources and increasing productivity in order to cover the needs of Earth’s continuously growing population. Consequently, people getting involved with modern agriculture, from farmers to students, should become familiar with and be able to use and improve the innovative systems making the scene. At this point, the contribution of the STEM educational practices in demystifying new areas, especially in primary and secondary education, is remarkable and thus welcome, but things become quite uncertain when trying to discover efficient practices for higher education, and students of agricultural engineering are not an exception. Indeed, university students are not all newcomers to STEM and ask for real-world experiences that better prepare them for their professional careers. Trying to bridge the gap, this work highlights good practices during the various implementation stages of electric robotic ground vehicles that can serve realistic agricultural tasks. Several innovative parts, such as credit card-sized systems, AI-capable modules, smartphones, GPS, solar panels, and network transceivers are properly combined with electromechanical components and recycled materials to deliver technically and educationally meaningful results.