Libre software environment for robot programming

When facing the problem of teaching the basis of robot control programming to computer science students, apart from the syllabus of the course, some other requirements have to be considered as which is the most appropriate robot, and which are the right tools for learning how to control it. In this paper me describe the tools we have chosen for teaching robotics, focusing on the environment that supports the practical assignments. We also analyze the reasons that made us choose each tool, making special emphasis on the Libre(1) software requirement that we have imposed to every tool we are using. Finally, we present the results and opinions pie have got from our students, and the lessons me have learned by using this Libre software approach.