PBL Approach in Online Robotics Competition in Resource-Poor Environments: Maze Solver Robot

e-Yantra is an initiative by IIT Bombay that uses a Project Based Learning (PBL) approach to solve real world problems. e-Yantra conducts an annual robotics competition for students in polytechnic, science, and engineering colleges where robotic concepts and emerging technologies are taught through “themes”. Each year features 6-7 themes where a theme is targeted towards distinct skill sets in participants. Registration has increased from 4500 students (2012) to 34500 students (2019). Goal is to teach complex engineering skills through an online competition in a scalable manner using a paradigm that “gamifies” learning. A theme is developed and tested in-house before it is made available to teams. Students register as a team (group of four students) and take an online selection test to participate in e-Yantra Robotics Competition (eYRC) that runs for around six months. 4200 students took part in a “Rapid Rescuer” theme (one of six themes) that included elements such as Image Processing, Algorithm building, Wireless Communication, Building a robot, Embedded-C programming and much more. We describe here the tasks given in the competition and the use of auto-evaluation to build scale. Open Source COTS components make the competition accessible to even remote or “resource-challenged” participants. We present the impact of Project Based Learning (PBL) approach on learning imparted through competition.