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CEC Semester Twenty Seven 2025

Modeling Robot Kinematics Using Python and AI

Dr. Don Wilcher -
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham
March 24,
2025
Introduction to Robotics and Kinematics
In this first-day webinar session, participants will be introduced to robotics and kinematics. Key terms and definitions of robotics and kinematics will be presented. Major robot components that provide linear and rotational movement of robots will be discussed in the introduction session of the webinar. The Adeept Robot Arm will be used as an instructional aid to visually explain some of the key terms of robotics. The hands-on lab will consist of the construction and testing of the Adeept Robot Arm kit.
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March 25,
2025
Understanding Basic Robot Movement of an End Effector
On the second day of the webinar course, CEC participants will learn about translating a robot end effector using a homogeneous matrix. The definition of a homogenous matrix will be explained and explored using an AI large language model (LLM). Participants will learn how to obtain experimental Python code to model a homogeneous matrix. An introduction to Google Colaboratory will be presented in this session. The hands-on lab will consist of building and testing a homogeneous matrix for a robot end effector.
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Webinar
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March 26,
2025
Using an AI LLM to Provide Testing Code for a Robot Servo Motor
On the third day, modeling concepts and testing techniques for robot servo motors will be explored. CEC participants will learn to use an AI LLM to provide MicroPython testing code for a robot servo motor. Fundamentals of modeling an electromechanical motor will be presented in this session. The MicroPython test code will be used to control a servo motor wired to an ESP32 microcontroller. This testing approach will be explained for the Adeept Robot Arm. The hands-on lab will consist of building and testing an ESP32 microcontroller servo motor controller.
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Webinar
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March 27,
2025
Understanding and Modeling Rotation of a Robot End Effector
CEC participants will generate Python code to model a robot end effector in 3D Space. A rotation matrix will be discussed in this webinar session. A simulated paper tape approach to feeding coordinates to a simulated robot end effector will be presented. CEC participants will use the AI-generated Python code to test their software-modeled robot end effector controller. Robot coordinates will be displayed on an OLED display. The hands-on lab will consist of building and testing OLED display wired to an ESP32 microcontroller.
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Webinar
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March 28,
2025
Understanding and Modeling Translation and Rotation of a Robot Arm
On the final day of the webinar series, a homogenous translation/rotation matrix will be explained and demonstrated using AI-generated Python code. CEC participants will learn how to analyze the matrix model and manipulate the coordinate values. Translation and rotation equations will be discussed and explored in the hybrid Python model. The hands-on lab will consist of software generated from an AI LLM to translate and rotate the Adeept Robot Arm.
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Webinar
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Instructor
Dr. Don Wilcher
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham

Dr. Don Wilcher, an Electrical Engineer, is an Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), a Technical Education Researcher, Instructor, Maker, Emerging Technology Lecturer, Electronics Project writer, and Book Author. His Learn Electronics with Arduino book, published by Apress, has been cited 80 times in academic journals and referenced on patents.

He is the Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham. His research interest is Embedded Controls, Robotics Education, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence applications and their impact on Personalized Learning, Competency-Based Models curriculum, and instructional development in Mechatronics, Automation, IoT, Electronics, Robotics, and Industrial Maintenance Technologies. He is also the Founder and owner of MaDon Research LLC, an instructional technology consulting, technical training, and electronics project writing company serving Electronics Marketing Media, Technical and Engineering Education companies.