Dealing with Conflicting Requirements in Robot System Engineering: A Laboratory-Based Course

This paper presents a project-based laboratory for senior-level students in computer engineering that is based on the LEGO Mindstorms kits extended with a set of off-the-shelf microcontrollers and custom electronics. It is organized in an integrated set of projects, which individually cover a subset of typical issues and challenges involved in the development of a complete robotic system. The pedagogical goal is to equip students with an understanding of how engineering of complex projects is a multi-dimensional decision making process and with teamwork and self-learning skills.