Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Purpose:
A robot is a physical manifestation and mobile robots are one such example. The project takes its starting point in a problem of relevance to society or industry that may be addressed using mobile robotics; the problem is then broken down into smaller, more manageable sub-problems and analysed for the purpose of defining a relevant technical problem formulation, which can be solved via theories and methods related to robotic systems. The solution shall encompass a programmable computer, which is able to measure signals from its surroundings via selected sensors and process them digitally in some form and cause deliberate robotic action via the robots actuators, e.g. wheels. The software can run on the robot platform or remotely via a network.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Must have an understanding of fundamental robotic systems and their interaction with the environment
• Must have basic insight into concepts such as signals, sensors, mechanics, actuators and computers
• Must have sufficient insight into technological and social issues to enable them to pinpoint relevant problems that can be solved by technical means
• Must have knowledge about common processes in extensive, problem-oriented projects
• Must be able to explain and clarify theories and methods used in the project 

Skills

• Must be able to identify relevant requirements to a technical solution, product or similar
• Must be able to follow a relevant method for structured development in the project, including formulation and analysis of the problem, define a requirement specification and divide the problem into sub-problems that can be resolved separately
• Must be able to formulate and solve technical problems via algorithms and be able to implement these algorithms in a programmable device the control the robot behaviour 
• Must be able to analyse and evaluate their own utilisation of theories and methods outlined above
• Must be able to document and present the knowledge and skills outlined above, using correct terminology, in writing as well as orally   
• Must be able to analyse and evaluate their own learning processes using relevant methods
• Must be able to plan and carry out an extensive group project in collaboration with a supervisor

Competences

• Must understand the general concept of a robot system, in particular pertaining to computation and interacting with the surroundings
• Must be able to assume responsibility for their own learning processes during an extensive group project, as well as generalise and interpret the experience acquired
• Must be able to plan, structure, carry out, and reflect upon a project that starts from a socially or industrially relevant problem, in which robotic systems technology is an important element, individually as well as in groups.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working prototype of their robot

Type of instruction

See the general description of the types of instruction described in the introduction to Chapter 3. A minimum of 5 semester lectures are given as support for projects. All groups on the semester participate. The objective is to introduce methodology and knowledge on fundamental robotics in the context of the specific robotics problems that the students are working on in their projects. Sensor and actuator hardware that is supported by ROS packages is introduced, and this serves as a foundation for problem solving in the project.

Exam

Exams