Educating Future Software Engineers for Industrial Robotics

Abstract:
The industrial robotics landscape is drastically changing in recent years. New concepts, such as Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, Software-Defined Manufacturing, IoT, and rapid development of AI require the changes in the education of the future engineers, especially IT specialist responsible for the software part of industrial robots. This paper presents two connected robotics education factories aimed at teaching key concepts in robotics, artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, model-driven software engineering, and risk analysis. The factories serve as an educational platform for students and professionals alike, enabling them to learn practical experience in designing, developing, and testing robotics software engineering methods in a safe and controlled environment. The factories are equipped with multiple sensors, actuators, and controllers that facilitate the integration of different technologies, enabling learners to work on scenarios that simulate real-world industrial processes. This paper introduces (i) seven educational goals that are crucial for modern and future robotic software engineers, (ii) architectures of the model factories and their components, and (iii) the underlying pedagogical approach, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The paper concludes by discussing the potential of the factories to foster innovation and drive economic growth by equipping learners with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the digital economy.