Open-Source Hardware Design and Construction of a Modular Robotics Kit for STEM Education

This repository contains the complete open-source replication data, manufacturing assets, and firmware source files for a 5-module Modular Experimentation Kit designed for academic instruction in Embedded Systems, Automation, and Digital Electronics. Developed at Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) in Ecuador, this platform provides an accessible, high-fidelity alternative to closed-source commercial educational trainers. The dataset is organized hierarchically to support full reproducibility: 1. Shared Libraries: Comprehensive, version-locked Arduino IDE peripheral libraries (.zip) to ensure seamless offline compilation without driver mismatch. 2. Functional Modules (Modules 1 to 5): - Smart Pot (Environmental Telemetry) - Automated Parking (Digital Logic & Finite State Machines) - Drawbridge (Actuator Kinematics & Optical Barriers) - Automated Food Dispenser (RTC Chronological Scheduling) - Home Automation (Dense Multi-Peripheral Smart Home Systems) Each module directory contains dedicated subfolders for: - Mechanical Design: Parametric CAD assemblies in editable .STEP format for 3D printing (PLA) and laser cutting (MDF/Acrylic), accompanied by 3D layer-by-layer assembly animations (.wmv). - Electronic Design: Production-ready manufacturing outputs including universal Gerber X2 and RS-274X files, NC Drill coordinate logs (.txt), Altium Designer source files (.PrjPcb, .SchDoc, .PcbDoc), high-contrast monochrome PCB print layouts for inspection, and localized Bills of Materials (BOM). - Firmware: Well-structured, fully commented, and English-translated C++ source code (.ino) optimized for Arduino Uno microcontrollers. - Documentation: Detailed, high-resolution visual assembly and user manuals in PDF format. Economic Framework and Sourcing Context: The total budget for the 5-module kit is evaluated at approximately $548.00 USD. This budgetary allocation accounts for the logistical realities of hardware prototyping in South America, splitting procurement into international open-market sourcing (core integrated circuits and precision sensors imported via specialized distributors such as Adafruit and SparkFun) and local domestic markets (hardware discrete components, small-batch single-layer PCB routing, and custom precision laser cutting services). All assets are open hardware compliant, allowing researchers, educators, and makers to clone, modify, and expand the hardware architecture for global laboratory deployment.