Educator Information

Renton Technical College

Type of Institution:
Technical College
Location:
Renton,
Washington,
United States of America
About Renton Technical College

At Renton Technical College in Renton, Washington, instructor Jeremy Thorn uses the AR4 6-axis robot in the course MEC 206 – Robot Design & Construction. The curriculum uses the Ross/Fardo/Walach Industrial Robotics Fundamentals textbook.

In the class, students build multiple AR4 robots, splitting into teams for 3D printing, mechanical assembly, and coursework. The build process follows the AR4 manual and takes a full academic quarter.

The program includes theory on kinematics and uses RobotStudio and RoboDK software for digital twin simulation and programming. The course is managed through the Canvas LMS. This hands-on approach provides career training in robot assembly and programming within the college’s advanced manufacturing pathways.

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Instructor Courses
Professor/Educator Name:
Jeremy
Thorn
Title/Role:
Robotics Instructor

Course Title: Robotics Technician

In ROB 101, students get hands-on from day one. Each team builds and commissions their own AR4 robot. The curriculum centers on a semester-long project where students program their AR4 to autonomously navigate a mock factory floor, pick up raw materials from a conveyor belt, and assemble them into a simple product. This project teaches the entire robotics pipeline from kinematics to sensor integration and task sequencing.
How is the AR used in ths course?
The AR4 is the perfect platform for our intro course. Its DIY nature forces students to understand the mechanical system, not just the code. The affordability means we can run a lab with 20 units simultaneously, and the 6-axis industrial design gives students authentic experience that directly translates to real-world automation careers.
What this course covers:
Course Focus
👉
Industrial Automation
Key Concepts Taught
👉
AI in Robotics
👉
Arduino Integration
👉
Assembly Tasks
View Course Details →

Professor/Educator Name: Dr. Anya Sharma

Title/Role: Assistant Professor of Robotics

Introduction to Autonomous Robotics

In ROB 101, students get hands-on from day one. Each team builds and commissions their own AR4 robot. The curriculum centers on a semester-long project where students program their AR4 to autonomously navigate a mock factory floor, pick up raw materials from a conveyor belt, and assemble them into a simple product. This project teaches the entire robotics pipeline from kinematics to sensor integration and task sequencing.
How is the AR used in ths course?
The AR4 is the perfect platform for our intro course. Its DIY nature forces students to understand the mechanical system, not just the code. The affordability means we can run a lab with 20 units simultaneously, and the 6-axis industrial design gives students authentic experience that directly translates to real-world automation careers.
What this Course Covers:
Key Concepts Taught
  • Forward Kinematics
  • Inverse Kinematics
  • Trajectory Planning
Key Concepts Taught
  • Python for Robotics
  • Pick and Place Operations
  • System Integration

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