Web-Based Control and Robotics Education

The development of the Internet and World Wide Web technology has motivated the introduction of new ways for distance learning and education. This book provides a timely and cohesive set of contributions that present methodologies, technologies and practical tools for teaching control and robotic systems analysis and design over the Web. It is the first book of its kind in control and robotics education. The emphasis is placed on the two major means for web-based control and robotics education, viz. virtual labs and telelabs. In a virtual lab the remote student can use a simulation/animation of the system under control for the experiments, whereas in a telelab the student can remotely conduct real physical experiments via the Web. The book includes sufficient background and review material and investigates valuable new tools and best practices validated by several case-studies in many academic environments under a variety of educational conditions and requirements. The book aims to enhance technological and educational skills with the ultimate goal to encourage web-based control and robotics learning.