The Development and Implementation of a Cost-Effective Educational Robotic Arm Using ROS-MoveIT

This paper introduces a cost-effective robotic arm designed to match the performance of expensive counterparts, addressing the financial barriers hindering the widespread adoption of modern robotic arms in educational settings. The affordability of this robotic arm not only allows for greater student involvement, but its open-source nature fosters a deeper understanding of the robotics development process. This paper details the features and characteristics of the robotic arm design, as well as outlines the opportunities for mechatronics and robotics labs this design provides to students and educators through discussions ranging from the pros and cons of various stepper motor gearbox configurations, and structural material choices, to choices regarding various popular computational platforms. The overall initiative of the paper aims to create a more inclusive learning environment by reducing financial constraints, enabling broader student participation, and contributing to the advancement of robotics education.