Introduction to Vision and Robotics (U01913)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 9 ? Acronym : INF-3-IVR

Robotics and Vision applies AI techniques to the problems of making devices capable of interacting with the physical world. This includes moving around in the world (mobile robotics), moving things in the world (manipulation robotics), acquiring information by direct sensing of the world (e.g. machine vision) and, importantly, closing the loop by using sensing to control movement. Applying AI in this context poses certain problems, and sets certain limitations, which have important effects on the general software and hardware architectures. For example, a robot with legs must be able to correct detected imbalances before it falls over, and a robot which has to look left and right before crossing the road must be able to identify approaching hazards before it gets run over. These constraints become much more serious if the robot is required to carry both its own power supply and its own brain along with it. This module introduces the basic concepts and methods in these areas, and serves as an introduction to the more advanced robotics and vision courses.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Successful completion of Year 2 of an Informatics Single or Combined Degree, or equivalent by permission of the School. This course assumes prior knowledge of AI knowledge and representation issues (equivalent to first and second year courses in Informatics); enough school algebra and geometry to understand the optics of image formation with lenses; enough school physics to understand Newton's Laws of Motion; the general mechanical intuitions required in such tasks as bicycle maintenance; enough electrical knowledge to understand how electric batteries make electric motors work.

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Introduction to Vision and Robotics (VS1) (Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2))
Introduction to Vision and Robotics (VS1) (Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2))

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Intelligent Robotics, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Other subject areas

Vision, Perception and Action, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
22/09/2006	09:00	09:50	Lecture Room 3, Ashworth Labs	KB

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	09:00	09:50	KB
Lecture	Friday	09:00	09:50	KB

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

- Students will be able to recall and explain the essential facts, concepts and principles in robotics and computer vision, demonstrated through written answers in examination conditions.
- Students will be able to describe and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of some specific sensor and motor hardware; and some specific software methods for sensory processing and motor control,demonstrated through written answers in examination conditions.
- Students will be able to employ hardware (e.g. cameras, robots) and software (e.g. Matlab,robot simulator) tools to solve a practical problem of sensory-motor control, and will show a working system in a practical class.
- Students will, in writing a joint report, identify problem criteria and context, discuss design and development, test, analyse and evaluate the behaviour of the sensory-motor control system they have developed.
- Students will, individually, be able to gather information from recent research literature in robotics and computer vision, and discuss, appraise and communicate the information in a concise written review.