Instructor: Dan Rupert
Instructor Email: drupert@ucsd.edu
Prerequisites: Pre-algebra

Course Description: This course provides with a challenging hands-on educational opportunity in robotics engineering. Students will be introduced to the mechanics, electronics and computer engineering of robotics, culminating in a series of autonomous robot challenges. The morning session will consist of a brief lesson followed by an interactive project illustrating the engineering concepts. In the afternoon, students will be participating in a hands-on guided challenge as they build, program and operate strong and smart robots capable of sophisticated sensing and intelligent decision-making that closely mimic real-world machines. Field trips, engineering lab tours and faculty presentation may be included.

Course Objectives: The primary objective of this class is to provide with an in-depth understanding and control of the basic abilities of autonomous mobile robots: movements, senses and intelligence. Students will explore a dynamic range of engineering skills, including:

• Mechanical design of mobile robots.
• Actuation: DC motors and servo motors for robot motion.
• Perception: Range sensing and Vision for obstacle avoidance and target tracking.
• Cognition: Mobile robot tele-operation, obstacle avoidance, path planning, and intelligent decision-making for long-term missions (computer programming, problem solving and debugging).

In addition, students will gain critical thinking, effective project management and teamwork skills, and communication skills that will help them in future academic pursuits.

Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction to basic mechanical and electrical engineering concepts, and computer programming.
Week 2: Advanced programming (C, Microsoft Robotics Suites). Guided projects.
Week 3: Presentation of final projects and contests.
Supplies: Hardware (programmable microcomputer) and softwares (Mindstorms Education NXT, RobotC, Microsoft Robotics Suite...) will be provided for onsite use. In this class, we will be using the latest continuum of robotics sets, programming software, sensors, and curriculum developed by the collaboration between LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Education, National Instruments, Tufts University Center for Engineering Education Outreach, Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy and Vernier Software & Technology. The new 32-bit NXT intelligent brick provides with sturdy mechanical building system, new ultrasonic and sound sensors, interactive servo motors, Bluetooth technology, and highly intuitive programming software powered by LabVIEW from National Instruments.