Intelligent Autonomous Robotics (Level 11) (P00848)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : INF-P-IAR

The aims of this course are to introduce the fundamental problems of producing real world intelligent behaviour in robots, some of the different kinds of information processing techniques and control architectures that have been developed, and how biological systems can be modelled on robots and contribute to their design.

The course is structured around a practical-based programme involving the construction of a series of small mobile LEGO vehicles of increasing sensorimotor sophistication. We will cover related sensing and control ideas, approaches, and organisational architectures. We consider some alternative types of mechanism suggested for the production of desired intelligent behaviour by both engineers (simple control theory) and biologists (e.g. muscle control, biomimetic robotics, learning).

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Introduction to Vision & Robotics For Informatics PG students only, or by special permission of the School. A good grounding in mathematics and some knowledge of first-order differential equations are essential. In addition, hands-on experience of working with small mechanical parts, computer assembly and skills such as using LEGO kits and Mindstorm kits would be useful.

? Co-requisites : This course may be taken as a co-requisite for MSc students on the Intelligent Robotics theme, they will be taking at least one of Advanced Vision (Level 10) and/or Machine Learning & Sensorimotor Control.

? Prohibited combinations : Forbidden Combination with Intelligent Autonomous Robotics (Level 10).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Intelligent Robotics, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

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

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
07/01/2008	09:00	09:50	Room 7.18, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	16:10	17:00	Central
Lecture	Friday	16:10	17:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

-Knowledge of robot control architectures and sensors, understanding of the issues involved in programming real robots as opposed to simulators.
-Familiarity with current approaches to robotics, including reactive, subsumption, cybernetic, classical planning and evolutionary and multirobot approaches.
-Familiarity with current literature on state-of-the-art in mobile robot planning and navigation (with the expectation of being tested in exam conditions)
-Understanding the main issues and methods in mobile robot navigation.
-Understand how to model and evaluate models of biological systems on robots.
-Build and program a robot to do specified tasks, dealing with sensing and acting in the real world, achieve a set of milestones defined on a weekly timetable, evaluate the results and present the work in a written report.
-Presentation of your work to a group, working in a small group.