- UCAS course code
- HH36
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
BEng Mechatronic Engineering
*This course is now closed for applications for 2025 entry.
- Typical A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Mobile Robots and Autonomous Systems
Unit code | EEEN30072 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This unit introduces students to the key concepts underpinning mobile robots and autonomous systems. Topics that are covered include kinematic modelling of wheeled and legged robots, perception, planning & navigation and techniques for state estimation.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Sensors & Instrumentation | EEEN30242 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Mechatronic Analysis & Design | EEEN30151 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Applied Mechanics & Industrial Robotics | EEEN20282 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The unit aims to: Provide students with a broad introduction to mobile robots and autonomous systems. The key components of a mobile robot will be considered; locomotion, perception, localisation and navigation.
Learning outcomes
ILO 1 - Perform data analysis and present it in a professional format. [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 2 - Discuss the ethical considerations that surround the use of robotics in society. [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 3 - Formulate kinematic models for wheeled robots and leg trajectories for gaits of legged robots. [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 4 - Create MATLAB models using either simulated or real-world data. [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 5 - Describe different strategies for mobile robot path planning and navigation. [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 6 - Summarize the key sub-systems of a mobile robot and illustrate them with examples. [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 7 - Assess the benefits and limitations of different proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensing options for mobile robots. [Developed] [Assessed]
Teaching and learning methods
This unit is taught in the flipped style. After the initial introductory lecture, students will study the weekly material prior to the timetabled session (notes and videos). During the weekly session, the students will undertake practical (hardware/software-based) which will reinforce the material.
The exam/coursework split for this unit is 70/30.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Other | 30% |
Written exam | 70% |
Open-world online Examination
Duration: 3 hours
The examinaiton forms 70% of the total unit assessment.
Coursework
Practical laboratory with video submission
Duration: 3 hour lab + up to 7 hours self-study (10%)
Written assignment on ethics
Duration: Up to 20 hours self-study (20%)
The coursework forms 30% of the total unit assessment.
Feedback methods
Open-world online exam - departmental feedback form after the exam board.
Practical laboratory with video submission - 3 weeks after submission, individual and group feedback is provided.
Written assignment on ethics - 3 weeks after submission, individual and group feedback is provided.
Recommended reading
- Introduction to autonomous mobile robots by Siegwart, Roland. MIT Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780262295321
- Springer handbook of robotics by Siciliano, Bruno, 1959- editor.; Khatib, Oussama, editor. Springer, 2016. ISBN: 9783319325521
- Introduction to algorithms: fourth edition by Cormen, Thomas H. The MIT Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780262367509
- Machines That Walk: The Adaptive Suspension Vehicle by Owen, Tony. Robotica , 1989. DOI: 10.1017/S0263574700006937
- Quadrupedal Locomotion: An Introduction to the Control of Four-legged Robots by Gonzalez de Santos, Pablo. author. Springer London, 2006. ISBN: 9781846283079
- Trajectory Planning for Automatic Machines and Robots by Biagiotti, Luigi. author. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2008. ISBN: 9783540856290
- Vehicle-Manipulator Systems: Modeling for Simulation, Analysis, and Control by From, Pål Johan. author. Springer London, 2014. ISBN: 9781447154631
- Fundamentals of Inertial Navigation, Satellite-based Positioning and their Integration by Noureldin, Aboelmagd. author. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2013. ISBN: 9783642304668
- Positioning in wireless communications systems by Sand, Stephan. Wiley, 2014. ISBN: 9781118694114
- Fundamentals of wireless sensor networks: theory and practice by Dargie, Waltenegus. Wiley, 2010. ISBN: 9780470666395
- Measurement and instrumentation: theory and application by Morris, Alan S. Academic Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780123819628
- Principles of robot motion: theory, algorithms, and implementation by Choset, Howie M. MIT Press, 2005. ISBN: 026225591
- Introduction to graph theory by Wilson, Robin J. Longman, 1996. ISBN: 0582249937
- The Algorithm Design Manual by Skiena, Steven S. author. Springer London, 2008. ISBN: 9781848000704
- Introduction to probability and statistics for engineers and scientists by Ross, Sheldon M. Academic, 2009. ISBN: 9780123704832
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Lectures | 1 |
Practical classes & workshops | 3 |
Tutorials | 18 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 78 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Simon Watson | Unit coordinator |