Linear algebra is the branch of mathematics that deals with systems of linear equations, linear maps, vector spaces and matrices. It is used in most sciences and fields of engineering, and it is a basic subject of the first courses of several engineering degrees. However, many engineering students find it difficult to grasp and understand many concepts of this subject because they are often presented in a way too abstract and without proper contextualization in practical engineering problems.

This abstract describes the approach followed by the authors to teach the subject of linear algebra in the first course of undergraduate degrees on Mechanical, Electrical and Automation Engineering. The approach consists in using concrete examples contextualized in mechanical and robotic manipulators to explain core concepts of linear algebra and put into practice procedures and problem-solving skills, rather than using completely uncontextualized abstract examples, as it is usually done. Using these mechanical and robotic-centered examples motivates students and allows them to better understand the practical applications of abstract concepts of linear algebra and the procedures to solve associated fundamental problems.

More concretely, we use velocity and singularity analysis of robotic manipulators to explain the computation of the kernel and image of linear mappings, and mobility analysis of parallel manipulators to explain operations between vector spaces such as their intersection, among other concepts. This paper details the examples used by the authors in these subjects to illustrate these concepts and procedures.

Keywords: Linear algebra, robotics, mechanisms, contextual teaching and learning.