Implementing a robotic design and build exercise

This paper presents the experiences and insights gathered while implementing a robotic design and build project. The project was based on the LEGO robot competitions pioneered by Fred Martin of the MIT Media Laboratory. Identical projects were run in second semester 2000 at both n . Monash University and Swinburne University. In all 24 LEGO robots were constructed at the two universities. We give details of the project, our experiences of running the project and our assessment of its applicability to both first year and third year engineering students.