Support for Education of Mechatronics by Simulator Using Augmented Reality

With the increased interest of manufacturing education and creative education, the number of education programs for experiential learning on mechatronics is on the rise. Most programs introduce the experiment and practical training with actual robots into education for the purpose of enhancing educational effects. However, the burden of preparing and maintaining the robot is not small and sharing an actual robot with some students increases the risk of infection from Coronavirus (COVID-19) in recent years. In this research we have developed a new simulator that supports education of mechatronics using AR technology. By using the simulation, the cost of preparing and managing the actual robot can be significantly reduced and the risk of infection disease is also reduced. In addition the AR technology makes it possible for students to make experience as they control the actual robots.