Course unit details:
Autonomous Mobile Robots
| Unit code | AERO60492 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Autonomous Mobile Robots will become key in a range of sectors such as agriculture, critical asset inspections, and social care. Students will learn how to develop both kinematic and dynamic models for such robots and how to develop real-time feedback control systems. They will select and implement appropriate navigation strategies so that the robots can undertake autonomous missions.
Pre/co-requisites
The group laboratory activities will involve the live control of an indoor ‘drone’. Communications with the various systems and the task of programming a control algorithm will use the Robot Operating System (ROS) on a Unix type OS. Please familiarise yourself with the ROS framework and programming languages (python or C++). Recommended tutorial here: https://ros2-tutorial.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
Aims
Introduce students to the field of autonomous mobile robots, how they can be modelled, controlled, and used in a range of applications.
Learning outcomes
ILO 1 Discuss how mobile robots can be used in a range of applications.ILO 2 Formulate kinematic and dynamic models for a range of mobile robot platforms.ILO 3 Design and implement appropriate feedback control systems for mobile robot platforms.ILO 4 Select and implement appropriate navigation strategies for mobile robot motion.ILO 5 Apply and evaluate appropriate geo-spatial techniques to data generated by mobile robots.ILO6 Present scientific data to professional engineering and/or lay-audiences.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 10% |
| Written exam | 50% |
| Report | 25% |
| Practical skills assessment | 15% |
Other - self study
Feedback methods
Exam - Departmental feedback form after the exam boardCoursework 1 - 3 weeks after submission, individual and group feedback is providedCoursework 2 – 3 weeks after submission, individual and group feedback is providedIn-lab assessment during practical work - Individual feedback is provided during lab sessions
Recommended reading
Small Unmanned Aircraft – Theory and Practice. Beard and McLain. Cook, G. and Zhang, F. (2020). Mobile robots : navigation, control and sensing, surface robots, and AUVs. Second edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley-IEEE Press.Fossen, T.I. (1994). Guidance and control of ocean vehicles. Chichester: Wiley.Siegwart, R., Nourbakhsh, I.R. and Scaramuzza, D. (2011). Introduction to autonomous mobile robots. 2nd edition. / Roland Siegwart, Illah R. Nourbakhsh, and Davide Scaramuzza. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 150 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Kieran Wood | Unit coordinator |