“The Legend of Zelda: A Link to Machine Design“ | UMD’s Newest Engineering Course

tl;dw | We created a new Mechanical Engineering course at the University of Maryland, College Park, that leverages the video game, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom“ (Nintendo Switch, May 2023), to teach undergraduate students machine design and engineering. [Press release: ] 0:00 | Introduction 0:40 | The Video Game’s Engineering Relevance 1:42 | Overview of the Pilot Course 2:26 | Midterm Team Machine Design Challenge 2:49 | Race: Transforming Bioinspired Amphibious Robotic Vehicle 3:07 | Conclusion Ryan D. Sochol, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Director, Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing (BAM) Laboratory A. James Clark School of Engineering University of Maryland, College Park BAM Lab Webpage: COURSE DESCRIPTION This course serves as a unique opportunity for students to leverage the CAD assembly interface (i.e., “Ultrahand”), machine elements (e.g., rockets, motorized wheels/propellers, stabilizers, springs), structural components (e.g., beams, plates, adhesives), and sophisticated component- and system-level physics of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” on the Nintendo Switch to advance their knowledge and experience in machine design. Students will execute two course projects that are each based on objective performance targets that will require students to apply machine design principles to balance trade-offs for the addition/placement of machine elements and structural components with energy (i.e., battery) depletion rates. A portion of the grading is based on live demonstrations of machine performance in silico (i.e., within the video game). Students will also gain experience with soft skills through course deliverables including oral presentations associated with each project/challenge. SEE ALSO 1. Playing Super Mario Bros. w/ a 3D Printed Soft Robotic Hand | 2. BAM Lab Oral Presentations | -- The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are © of Nintendo Co., Ltd. The video features music from The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Orchestra, including: “The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Medley“, “Gerudo Valley“, and “Twilight Princess Symphonic Movement“. The video also features “Legend of Zelda: Suite“ from Andrew Skeet & London Philharmonic Orchestra (℗ 2011 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group). #engineering #thelegendofzelda #tearsofthekingdom #mechanicalengineering #robotics