Robotics in Education

This book investigates robotics’ role in transforming STEM education through critical thinking and interdisciplinary skill development. Spanning six chapters, it examines robotics’ ability to enhance technical and collaborative skills while addressing challenges such as resource accessibility and curriculum integration. Core programming concepts, including control systems, algorithm design, and debugging, are elaborated upon using tools like Python and ROS.  

Practical guidance encompasses the design of mechanical and electrical systems, the integration of sensors (e.g., ultrasonic, IMUs), and their application in real-world scenarios. Projects advance from basic movement programming to sophisticated AI-driven tasks such as autonomous navigation and object recognition. The AI section discusses machine learning, path-planning algorithms (e.g., A* search, SLAM), and classroom case studies.  

Subsequent chapters examine new trends such as VR, IoT, and data-driven assessment alongside robotics's global influence in education and career readiness strategies. Aimed at educators and students, this book combines theoretical frameworks with practical insights to prepare learners for technological progress.  

Dr. Norashikin M. Thamrin is an Associate Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), currently a fellow researcher at Microwave Research Institute (MRI), UiTM, specializing in embedded systems, automation, IoT, robotics, and intelligence system. She obtained her PhD in Automation and Robotics from UiTM, an MSc in Electrical Engineering, and a BSc (Hons) in Electrical-Electronics Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Her research includes groundbreaking studies on autonomous robotic platforms, intelligent monitoring systems, and robotics applications in STEM education.

Dr. Addie Irawan is currently an Associate Professor at University Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) and has been serving with the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology (FTKEE) since 2005. He is a Principal in Robotics, Dynamics, and Motion Control, as well as Computer & Networks, specializing in Network Protocols and ISP. Currently, he is the Head of the Robotics, Intelligent Systems, and Control (RiSC) research group and a member of the Instrumentation and Control Engineering (ICE) Cluster at FTKEE, UMPSA. His work primarily focuses on Robotics and Automation, specifically on robot design and mechanism, control systems, intelligent systems, and motion planning for factory, farming, and underwater applications.

Dr. Zurita Zulkifli is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering at Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam. She has a background in electronics engineering and graduated from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan in 2015 with a Doctor of Engineering (Frontier Materials) degree. Her research interests include the design of electronic circuits, the fabrication and characterization of semiconductor materials and exploring the graphene and metal-oxide composite films for diverse applications.

Dr. Syed Abdul Mutalib Al Junid is an Associate Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and has been part of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering since 2009. He specializes in Embedded Systems, Energy Storage, IC Design, Electronic Engineering System Design and System Integration. His research focuses on embedded systems, DNA sequence alignment accelerators, and renewable energy storage solutions.

Dr. Megat Syahirul Amin Megat Ali is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA. He currently holds the position of Deputy Director at the Microwave Research Institute. His primary research interests include digital signal processing and the application of machine learning in smart systems, with a focus on healthcare diagnostics and precision agriculture.

Dr. Anwar P.P. Abdul Majeed obtained his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Robotics from the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA). He is currently serving as an Associate Professor and the Head of Department of the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Malaysia. Prior to joining Sunway University, he served as an Associate Professor at the School of Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU), China and acted as the Programme Director of the newly developed MSc in Advanced Robotics Systems, XJTLU. His research interest includes rehabilitation robotics, computational mechanics, applied mechanics, sports engineering, renewable and nuclear energy, sports performance analysis as well as machine learning.