Introduction ¿ This study presents an open-source course on mobile robotics based on a challenge-based learning (CBL) methodology to support practical competency development in mechatronics and robotics education. Methods ¿ The course was designed around six sequential technical challenges, followed by a final collaborative challenge, guiding students through the development of a low-cost robotic system controlled by computer vision. A pilot educational implementation was conducted within an existing undergraduate robotics course, incorporating oral assessments, instructor observations, technical rubrics, ABET-based assessment indicators, peer evaluation, and supplementary materials such as CAD designs, GERBER files, and programming resources. Results ¿ The pilot implementation documented student progress throughout the proposed challenges, including the assembly, instrumentation, programming, control, and collaborative operation of the robotic platform. The results provide descriptive evidence of student participation, technical performance, and completion of the proposed robotics activities. Discussion ¿ These findings suggest that the proposed CBL framework was feasible within the implemented course context for supporting hands-on, interdisciplinary robotics education and aligning practical learning activities with ABET-oriented competency assessment. This feasibility was evidenced by students¿ completion of the sequential technical challenges, implementation of the UPABOT 1.0 platform, participation in the planned evaluations, and execution of the final collaborative multi-robot task. However, the results should be interpreted as outcomes from a pilot educational implementation rather than as causal evidence of learning gains or superiority over other instructional approaches.
