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| Unit name |
Robotic Systems for Computer Scientists (Teaching Unit) |
| Unit code |
COMS30056 |
| Credit points |
0 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. O'Dowd |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Basic general ability with programming, C/C++ is recommended.
|
| Co-requisites |
Students in Year 3 should choose Assessment Unit COMS3NEW Robotic Systems for Computer Scientists
Students in Year 4 should choose the Masters Level Assessment Unit COMSMNEW Robotic Systems for Computer Scientists
|
| School/department |
Department of Computer Science |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Engineering |
Description including Unit Aims
Robotics is a rapidly growing area of research and industry which can be approached from many angles. Central to robotics is computing. However, robotics takes computing out of a purely digital sphere by embedding computing within physical devices (robots) which must safely, reliably and intelligently respond to unpredictable environments. As such, robotics tends to be an experimental discipline – software and algorithms must be developed on an applied robotic system, so that the performance can be observed, evaluated, understood and improved upon.
This unit introduces robotic systems through a project-based coursework with a real mobile robot. Students are guided through a combination of laboratory worksheets and lectures. Students are supported to experimentally study the sub-components of a robotic system (e.g. robotic sensing, motion control, intelligent decision making), and to bring these together into a unified autonomous system. These learning objectives are focused around achieving the performance of the mobile robot to autonomously complete a challenge task, and a subsequent experimental evaluation.
The aims of this unit are:
- To provide a fun, engaging and informative platform for learning via robotics.
- To engage students in applying computing concepts to a real robotic system with multi-faceted, non-deterministic real time requirements.
- To make microcontroller software development/applications familiar and accessible to computing students.
- To provide students with an experience of the complexity of a robotic system from a sub-component level, to enable an appreciation of the constraints and challenges which underlie advanced/further robotics applications/technologies.
- To support students to develop intelligent methods of investigation and experimentation for robotic systems development.
Please note, this is the Teaching Unit. Students can take this unit in either their third or fourth year, and must also choose the Assessment Unit for their year group.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of the unit will enable students to:
- Understand microcontroller software development/applications.
- Understand complex robotic systems from a sub-component level, to enable an appreciation of the constraints and challenges which underlie advanced robotics applications/technologies and further study.
- Apply computing concepts to a real robotic system with multi-faceted, non-deterministic real time requirements.
- Employ intelligent methods of investigation and experimentation necessary for working in robotic systems development.
- Employ experimental practice whereby they are able to conceive of and conduct rigorous experiments with robotic systems to gain new knowledge and understanding.
- Situate their study in robotics against relevant resources such as academic literature and advances in industry, through the acquisition of fundamental knowledge, understanding, skill and language of subject.
Teaching Information
Lectures, supported by lab sessions
Assessment Information
Coursework (100%).
Year 3 students:
- 50% Individual Marked Formative Assessment: the measured performance of the students robotic system to autonomously complete a challenge task.
- 50% Group Summative Assessment: an 8-10 page report of an experiment conducted with the robotic system.
Y4 student coursework:
As per Year 3, except the weighting for the components is adjusted to reflect the expectation of post-graduate students to have a higher engagement with self-directed study, initiative, critical thought and reasoning:
- 40% Individual Marked Formative Assessment: the measured performance of the students robotic system to autonomously complete a challenge task.
- 60% Group Summative Assessment: an 8-10 page report of an experiment conducted with the robotic system.
Reading and References
- Thrun, Sebastian et al, Probabilistic Robotics (MIT Press, 2005) ISBN: 978-0262201629
- Dudek, Gregory and Jenkin, Michael, Computational Principles of Mobile Robotics, Second Edition (Cambridge University Press, 2010) ISBN:
