module specification

CT7158 - Robotic Systems (2022/23)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2022/23
Module title Robotic Systems
Module level Masters (07)
Credit rating for module 20
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Total study hours 200
 
52 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
100 hours Guided independent study
48 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 50%   Logbook + Case-Study Report (2500 words)
Unseen Examination 50%   Final Examination (3 hours)
Running in 2022/23

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Autumn semester North Monday Afternoon

Module summary

The aim of the module is to provide the theoretical and practical aspects, and the fundamental principles and methods that are used to model, design, and control a robotic system.

The objectives of the module are:
• To introduce the terminology and history of robotics and discuss various classification of robots according to their design and applications
• To introduce the mathematical and practical foundations of robotics
• To study the structural behaviour of robot manipulators and mobile robots
• To present the foundations of modelling and control of robot manipulators
• To develop forward and inverse kinematics to describe objects, locations, orientation and movements 
• To apply a hands-on approach using appropriate hardware and industry’s software (MATLAB and/or ROS: Robot Operating Systems) to develop relevant algorithms for path planning, trajectory and control for robot manipulators.
• To explain the social, economic, environmental and ethical issues relevant to robotics including current laws and regulations

Prior learning requirements

MSc Robotics with Artificial Intelligence (Core)

Syllabus

Terminology, history of robotics and most common robot design and applications. [LO1]
Classification of robots (industrial/fixed vs mobile); Classification of the most common manipulator mechanical structures; robot manipulator (links, joints, arms, wrist and end-effector). [LO1, LO2, LO3]

Modelling and control of robot manipulators; Robot degrees of freedom (DOF);
Position and orientation of a rigid body; Geometry of movement of a robot (Kinematics, both forward and Inverse), examples and applications; Rotational motion of a robotic arm; Statics and dynamics control of serial-link manipulator arm; Manipulator and robot grippers; Trajectory and path planning. [LO2, LO3]

Mobile robotics, local navigation; Obstacle avoidance; Localization, mapping and mapping-based navigation; Intelligent robotics. [LO3, LO4]

Current techniques in software architectures, programming tools / platforms and environments for robotic systems. [LO5]

Ethics for robotics and social, economic, and environmental issues. [LO6]

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

The module will be delivered by a mixture of lectures, tutorials/workshops, synchronous/asynchronous e-Learning/ blended learning. Students will be expected to carry out directed independent background study to familiarise themselves with the platforms and tools that will be used during the module.

All required learning material for the module (lectures/ tutorials/ workshops/ recordings / links etc) will be available to students on University VLE (Weblearn). The module page on VLE will be continuously updated with announcements and need based additional information to ensure appropriate support for students’ learning.

Students will be encouraged to keep logbook for reflective learning and regular feedback.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to demonstrate:
LO1. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanical structure of various robotic systems, and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights.
LO2. Detailed knowledge of the mathematical description of the mechanical structure of a robot manipulator.
LO3. Advanced level knowledge and understanding concerning the motion of robots in the environment from modelling, simultaneous localization and mapping, motion planning and obstacle avoidance.
LO4. Motion, position and orientation of the bodies in a robotic mechanism using Kinematics to compute the workspace.
LO5. Knowledge of established and new techniques in software architectures, programming tools / platforms and environments for robotic systems.
LO6. A critical awareness of the current laws and regulation relevant to robotics, including the social, economic, environmental and ethical issues.

Assessment strategy

The final examination will be based on material drawn from formal lecture and tutorial content and will test student’s retention, understanding and insight of the theoretical concepts and underlying mathematical framework. [LO2, LO3 and LO4]

The coursework will consist of two parts: i) lab assignments ii) individual case study. The lab will include set assignments and the deliverable will be documented in a logbook. The logbook will be used to assess student’s continuous engagement with the lab activities, and reflection on practical results. The individual case study will include an investigation and the deliverable will a lab report structured in form of a research paper that also covers LSEP related to robotic systems. [LO1 to LO6]

Student will be provided with periodic one to one feedback on logbook. Student may avail formative feedback on the report one week prior to formal submission. Summative feedback on submitted coursework will be provided via VLE (i.e. WebLearn) as per University guidelines.

Bibliography

Reading list link: https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/B67A7796-29C5-178C-EF03-51FAE3C17E3E.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Core Textbooks:
• Corke, Peter.  ® second, completely revised. Vol. 118. Springer, 2017.
(https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/items/71388210-A3BF-FDA4-3E9A-0868EE3A31D9.html?lang=en-GB&login=1)
• Spong, Mark W., Seth Hutchinson, and Mathukumalli Vidyasagar. Robot modeling and control. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.
(https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/items/AE7C10F6-669F-B4E6-99AC-158CFA1BD231.html?lang=en-GB&login=1)
• Siegwart, Roland, Illah Reza Nourbakhsh, and Davide Scaramuzza. Introduction to autonomous mobile robots. MIT press, 2011.
(https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/items/3090AEA5-78DD-0C68-07F7-6843BFEB89F4.html?lang=en-GB&login=1)

Recommended Textbooks:
• Lynch, Kevin M., and Frank C. Park. Modern Robotics. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
(https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/items/66FB94E7-1AFF-853F-53DA-37F6E9218787.html?lang=en-GB&login=1)
• Sciavicco, Lorenzo, and Bruno Siciliano. Modelling and control of robot manipulators. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
(https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/items/0660AFD0-70FE-0941-4B2B-2FEC319E8A14.html?lang=en-GB&login=1)
• Mordechai Ben-Ari, Francesco Mondada (2018), Elements of Robotics
ISBN 978-3-319-62532-4 ISBN 978-3-319-62533-1 (eBook), Springer Open
(https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/items/90E82007-1555-6845-B3FD- 58A25BE45EA0.html?lang=en-GB&login=1)
Journals:
• IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b2112633~S1)
• IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b2047807~S1)
• IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1710899~S1)
• The International Journal of Robotics Research (https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ijr)
• IEEE Transactions on Robotics (http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b2050836~S1)