Introduction to Robotics

MC375.01

Spring 2001

Syllabus (tentative!) with links

Note: the content of this syllabus changes frequently!!!
last updated: Wed 2 May 2001

Final Exam: Fri 4 May 2001 12.30pm, Fulton 453

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week Monday Wednesday
1 15 Jan 17 Jan
MLK Day
(no class)
  • course overview
    • 2 22 Jan 24 Jan
    Introduction
  • unpack robot kits
  • build wheel base
  • introduction to robotics topics
  • reading this week:
    -- Artificial Intelligence, ch 25
  • lecture notes
  • introduction to rcx code
  • teams for robot challenge I
    • 3 29 Jan 31 Jan
    LEGO
    MINDSTORMS
  • lab exercise this week:
    -- obstacle avoidance
    -- wall following
  • reading this week:
    -- Kids Learning Engineering Science Using LEGO
    the following are in the coursepack, which will be available in the (hopefully) near future:
    -- To Mindstorms and Beyond
    -- Definitive Guide to LEGO MINDSTORMS, ch 4
    -- Extreme MINDSTORMS, ch 2
  • lab
    • 4 5 Feb 7 Feb
    NQC, line-following
  • reading this week:
    -- NQC User Manual
    -- NQC Programmer's Guide
    -- NQC Reference card
  • lab
    • 5 12 Feb 14 Feb
    Motors,
    Effectors,
    Actuators
  • reading this week:
    -- Introduction to Robotics, ch 2.1-2.6
  • lecture notes
    		• HVD!
  • lab
    • 6 19 Feb 21 Feb
    Sensors
  • reading this week:
    -- Introduction to Robotics, ch 2.7
    -- Robotic Explorations, ch 5
  • Lab #1
  • lecture notes
  • lab
    • 7 26 Feb 28 Feb
    Control
  • reading this week:
    -- Introduction to Robotics, ch 2.9-2.11
    -- Robotic Explorations, ch 8
  • term project
  • lecture notes
    		• the a-MAZE-ing Robot Contest!
  • results!
    • 8 5 Mar 7 Mar
    Science Fiction Spring Break!
    (no class)
    over break, read:
    I, Robot     		Spring Break!
    (no class)
    9 12 Mar 14 Mar
    Behavior
  • reading this week:
    -- Behavior-Based Robotics, ch 3
    -- Behavior-based Robotics, its scope and its prospects
    -- Behavior-Based Control
    PROJECT PROPOSAL DUE!
  • lecture notes
    		• lab #1 due!
  • lab
    • 10 19 Mar 21 Mar
    Learning MIDTERM EXAM
  • take-home exam, given out in class
  • exam reading:
    -- A Robust Layered Control System for a Mobile Robot
    -- Society of Mind
  • lab
    		• MIDTERM EXAM DUE!
  • reading this week:
    -- Reward Functions for Accelerated Learning
    -- Issues in Evolutionary Robotics
  • lecture notes
    • 11 26 Mar 28 Mar
    Projects 1
  • lab
  • student project reports used to be posted here
    • 12 2 Apr 4 Apr
    Control II
  • guest lecturer: Professor Yanco
  • lab
    • 13 9 Apr 11 Apr
    Projects 2
  • student project reports used to be posted here
  • student project reports used to be posted here
    • 14 16 Apr 18 Apr
    Projects 3 Patriot's Day
    (no class)
  • student project reports used to be posted here
    • 15 23 Apr 25 Apr
    Projects 4
  • Lab #2
  • lab
  • student project reports used to be posted here
    • 16 30 Apr
    last class!
  • lab