FURI | Spring 2026

Design and Development of a Modular, Open-Architecture Robotic Lab Bench for Multi-Disciplinary Curriculum Integration

The rapid shift toward online and hybrid education has increased the need to provide remote students with learning experiences equivalent to those offered in traditional classrooms worldwide. Existing network laboratories often lack flexibility, as they are designed for single-purpose simulations rather than adaptable experimentation. Meanwhile, advanced modular systems that offer greater interactivity tend to be prohibitively costly, limiting their feasibility within university-led programs. This research aims to generate new knowledge on the design principles, curriculum development strategies, and system architectures necessary to create an accessible and scalable remote lab platform for engineering and robotics education. By exploring how modularity and user interactivity can be optimized for remote learning environments, the research project will contribute to the growing need for high-quality online lab experiences in various STEM fields. This knowledge has the potential to redefine how universities deliver experiential learning to remote students, enabling global access to physical lab resources without compromising educational quality. The success of this project could lead to direct implementation in ASU Online courses, which can be applied in the fields of controls, dynamics, and robotics.