Introduction to the programming concepts involved with autonomous robotic systems. Using off-the-shelf “robot kits,” students will design a simple robotic platform to meet specific goals. Then, students will develop their programming capabilities using a common platform for the remainder of the course. Simple open-ended feedback and artificial intelligence systems will be explored throughout the course. Several benchmarks and robot competitions will demonstrate the platform and programming learned in the course. Credits: 3.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Design and construct a basic robotic platform using off-the-shelf robot kits to meet specific performance goals, demonstrating an understanding of robotic hardware components and their integration.
- Develop proficiency in a standard programming language and environment for autonomous robots, applying fundamental programming concepts such as variables, control structures, and functions to control robotic behavior.
- Implement open-ended feedback systems in robotic applications, using sensors and actuators to enable real-time environmental interaction and adaptive decision-making.
- Create simple artificial intelligence algorithms for robots, such as rule-based systems or basic machine learning techniques, to enable autonomous problem-solving and task completion.
- Optimize robotic performance through iterative design, programming, and testing cycles, as demonstrated by successful participation in benchmarks and robot competitions throughout the course.
Textbook
Correll, N. (2022). Introduction to Autonomous Robots: Mechanisms, Sensors, Actuators, and Algorithms. MIT Press.
Syllabus
Fall