Begin Robotics
Learn robotics by exploring their history, anatomy and intelligence and test drive robots using exciting simulations.
Explore our introduction to robotics
Robots today are roving Mars, hoovering our floors, building cars and entertaining us in films. You may even share Stephen Hawking’s world view that super-intelligent ones may one day bring about the end of the human race.
But what forms do robots take today? How do they achieve particular tasks? And how is our relationship with them evolving? In this introduction to robotics course, you’ll explore answers to these questions and more.
Examine robot anatomy, control and behaviour through a set of simulated tasks
If you’d like to find out more but don’t have Hawking’s brain or an advanced qualification in cybernetics, this course is for you. You won’t require a soldering iron, but you’ll explore the key components of robot design, control and behaviour through a series of simulations that will have you test driving an ERIC – our very own University of Reading mobile robot. You’ll command ERIC to explore its environment avoiding obstacles, follow a line, and act like a Braitenberg vehicle.
What topics will you cover?
Week 1:
- An introduction to robotics from a cybernetic perspective
- Overview of different types of robots and their application
- History of robotics
- Introduction to the robot simulations used in the course
- Problem-solving: commanding a mobile robot to move
Week 2:
- A description of the components of a robot – sensors, actuators, ’brain’ and power supply
- An understanding of different sensors, their operation and application
- A description of motors, how their velocity is set, and other robotic actuators
- Problem-solving: commanding a robot to achieve tasks on the basis of sensor information
Week 3:
- Feedback for control and human-machine interaction
- An explanation of feedback control of steering and speed in robots and in other applications such as balance, temperature and damping oscillations
- Simple mathematical modelling of robots and different forms of control strategies
- Human-Computer Interaction: feedback, including haptics
- Problem-solving: commanding a robot to follow a path
Week 4:
- Feedback for Learning and robot: robot interaction
- An appreciation of neuron based brains through Braitenburg vehicles
- Robot learning by trial and error
- Multiple robots and artificial life, relating to biological processes
- Problem-solving: commanding a robot to traverse a maze
Who is the course for?
The course is designed for anyone interested in robotics – you don’t need to own your own robot to take part! If you’ve always wanted to learn about robotics, robot design, or the history of robots, this is the course for you.
Please be aware that this course contains video clips that include sequences of flickering/flashing lights which might affect learners who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy.
Originally posted 2022-01-17 08:40:46.
