Using the Android Emulator for the Pepper Robot for Project Work

Excellence in teaching and learning requires that students acquire practical skills in addition to theoretical knowledge. For this purpose, many modules include term projects. In order to realize the practical projects in times of Covid-19, project topics have to be adapted so that students can work on them exclusively remotely. For classes that convey e.g. the principles of Human-Machine Interaction, one possibility is the use of the android-based emulator for the social robot Pepper. The emulator allows students to practically implement ideas for the Pepper robot without needing access to a laboratory. Thereby comparable options are conceivable for other subject areas. This paper presents a concept for remotely teaching and learning the principles of Human-Machine Interaction. The module is designed in such a way that the students realize their projects within the framework of User Centered Design. In addition to the technical implementation of the ideas using the Pepper Emulation, it is the students' task to determine the needs and requirements of the defined group of users on the basis of online questionnaires and online focus groups. The concept thus makes it possible to ensure a practical experience for students in times of Covid-19. However, the use of remote labs also offers many advantages for students, such as time and location autonomy, which is beneficial to the individualization of learning processes. In the presented paper, a guideline for the design of remote practical work is presented and advantages and disadvantages are discussed based on the experience of the conducted course.