Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering Framework to Develop a Senior Capstone Design Project: A Biomedical Mechatronics Engineering Case Study

Abstract The capstone design project for engineering students is the pinnacle of the undergraduate engineering education process. The design projects exist to both demonstrate the students' capabilities that they have learned throughout their education and bridge their education to industry standard practices. Given the significance of this project to young engineers, it is important to take the opportunity to appropriately challenge the students in their projects to optimize the time and effort that the students have put into their education and projects. The benefactors of the engineering education system are the students, universities, and industries. In the case of the engineering education system, the benefactors are not only those who depend on the quality of the system but are also those who are the greatest influences on the education system. The Universities provide the framework and environment for students to challenge themselves and reach their potential as engineers while the industries dictate the expectations of young engineers. The discipline of engineering is well known to be one of accumulated knowledge and experience. The common practices of engineers are built upon their predecessors and the current engineers work to continue this growth. Students rely heavily on the experience of their advisors to bridge the gap between ideation and creation of the capstone projects. Adding the experience of non-engineering disciplines adds another dimension to the types of engineers bred out of the engineering education system. This paper proposes an optimization of the existing capstone design project framework to accommodate the growing demand for multidisciplinary skill sets. The focus of this optimization is the utilization of accumulated knowledge and experience through experts who would act as advisors for the students. This optimization is a call to universities and industries to strategically invest the time and experience of professionals in the engineering education system and the students. This optimization would open up opportunities for students to learn and practice multidisciplinary projects as well as prove a student's ability to adapt and apply their skills to any industry.