Designing an AI-Enhanced Module for Robotics Education in Mechanical Engineering Technology

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across industries necessitates the inclusion of AI-related education within engineering programs.However, AI education remains limited for Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) students, who often lack strong backgrounds in math and programming.To address this gap, we design a five-week AI-enhanced module integrated within an existing robotics course at SUNY Farmingdale.This module introduces foundational AI and Machine Learning (ML) concepts, with a focus on practical applications in robotics and automation.Instead of diving deep into complex mathematics or programming, the module emphasizes the use of accessible AI tools, such as computer vision (CV), natural language processing (NLP), and reinforcement learning (RL), to solve engineering problems.By embedding the module into the robotics curriculum, students gain hands-on experience applying AI to real-world challenges, preparing them for AI-driven roles in engineering.This paper details the design and implementation of the module, explores the challenges of adapting AI education for MET students, and discusses strategies to bridge gaps in their technical knowledge.We also outline an assessment plan for evaluating student learning outcomes and provide insights into future improvements to meet evolving industry demands.