ROVINO: Low Cost Educational Robotics with Arduino Technology

The main objective of the ROVINO project is the integration of an educational project in the classroom, based on the construction of a remotely operated programmable underwater robot, using low-cost tools, with free hardware and software, having selected Arduino as a free hardware platform and Scratch as a free software tool.

In addition to the main objective proposed, robotics must be considered to be present in the training of any young person, due to its eminently practical and didactic nature, regardless of their educational centre and the development of this section; this is why an action dedicated to a robotics and programming demonstration workshop is included in the proposal, which is also extrapolated to an exhibition in a science/technology museum. Thus, students will be provided with a set of tools to build underwater robots, in line with the “Maker” philosophy, and working in a realistic way, generating dynamic activities that complement the teaching work and stimulate interest in science, technology and innovation. Furthermore, as an additional element of innovation, the proposal includes a training programme for trainers in the Scratch programming language, aimed at teachers. This proposal is an excellent opportunity to contribute to transmitting to the general public, and to young people in particular, the extensive and exciting field of professional development that can be found and developed in Spain through innovative technologies applied to knowledge and sustainable use of the ocean.

Finally, the context of the project is used to actively disseminate the results of the UNDERWORLD project on underwater radiocommunications, within the framework of the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2013-2016, Modality 1 “Research Challenges”.