Robotics Kit Now Available For University Education

Newark element14, the development distributor, is now shipping the TI Robotics System Learning Kit (TI-RSLK), an affordable robotics kit and classroom curriculum, which provides students with a deeper understanding of how electronic system designs work.

Today’s college students need to graduate with an understanding of engineering concepts across multiple disciplines and products, equipping them for an increasingly complex world. Robotics provides educators with the opportunity to teach interdisciplinary subjects and gives students a foundational understanding of electrical and computer engineering. The TI-RSLK is specifically designed to be used within the university setting to teach students the background knowledge necessary to understand the engineering concepts behind designing, testing and building a functioning robotic system through a 20-module curriculum developed with Professor Jon Valvano from the University of Texas at Austin.

Using robotics to teach hands-on systems-level thinking increases attraction and retention of students studying engineering and provides educators with the opportunity to teach interdisciplinary subjects. Robotics familiarizes students with systems design using industry tools, design flows and first-hand understanding of real-world applications. Students gain problem-solving experience, learning through trial and fixing errors with debugging hardware and software – all while gaining confidence through their combined knowledge and experience.

The TI-RSLK Maze Edition, has more than 60 electronic and mechanical components, including the industry-leading SimpleLink™ MSP432P401R microcontroller (MCU) LaunchPad™ Development Kit. TI’s SimpleLink MCU platform is the broadest portfolio of connected ARM® MCUs in a single software development environment, delivering flexible hardware, software and tool options for Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics applications. The TI-RSLK is designed to teach embedded systems and applications, but is also fully customizable, allowing faculty to choose how they integrate the TI-RSLK material and in which classes they implement it.

The TI-RSLK Maze Edition kit comes in three options for purchase
• The TI-RSLK Basic kit teaches the foundations of an electronic system, which includes the SimpleLink ™ MSP432P401R MCU LaunchPad™ Development Kit
• The TI-RSLK Advanced kit builds on the concepts and components found in the basic kit, adding wireless communication concepts with the SimpleLink Bluetooth® low energy CC2650 module BoosterPack™ plug-in module and SimpleLink Wi-Fi® CC3120 wireless network processor BoosterPack plug-in module that enable the robot to be competition-ready against other TI-RSLK robots
• The TI-RSLK Upgrade kit can be added to the basic kit to create the advanced kit

The TI-RSLK kits can be purchased from Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and element14 in APAC.