MIT-Robotics

Robotics Research Program (Undergraduate)

Keywords: Mechanical design, electronics, control theory, algorithm

Recommendation: This program is designed for students with interests in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science.

Abstract: Robotics has become widely used not only in the industry for manufacturing but also in daily life as service providers. Being a multidisciplinary subject, robotics involves the fields of mechanical design, electrical circuit, embedded system, control algorithm, artificial intelligence and many other hands-on engineering skills. In this program, a comprehensive overview of robotics will be given.

For entry level students, a series of introduction presentations will be given. The list of topics go as the following: design, manufacturing, electronics/PCB, sensors, embedded system programming, mechanism design/robotics, Raspberry PI, Robot operating system, webpage design, Python, LabVIEW, computer vision, robot simulation. Based on the content of these presentations, a series of exercise that would boost the understanding level of the students would be provided.

During the program, students are expected to complete mechanical assembly and control of a mobile robot platform as well as a robot arm. By doing so, students will be familiar with key concepts in robotics. A final competition will be held to allow students apply the techniques to complete a pick and place challenge.

Advanced topics to help students develop preliminary research skills and a mathematically more rigorous formulation of the robotics will be provided to those with sufficient background. These topics include control algorithm, digital signal processing, machine learning, To obtain experience on background research via literature review, students will be expected to conduct thorough research on a topic of their interest in relevant field of robotics. In addition, a group project for prosthetic arm design or implantable cardiac device (ICD) design will be provided to the students. For interested students, exercise on detailed modeling and control algorithm development for piezo actuators for hysteresis effect compensation is also available. Discussion on topics for graduate school application and specific topics related to mechatronics research of the instructor will also be included.

The overall goal of the program is to ensure that students lay a solid foundation in the filed of robotics and be prepared to conduct preliminary research in robotics through practice.

Robotics Research Program (High School)

Keywords: Mechanical design, electronics, control theory, algorithm

Recommendation: This program is designed for students with interests in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science.

Abstract: Robotics has become widely used not only in the industry for manufacturing but also in daily life as service providers. Being a multidisciplinary subject, robotics involves the fields of mechanical design, electrical circuit, embedded system, control algorithm, artificial intelligence and many other hands-on engineering skills. In this program, a comprehensive overview of robotics will be given.

For entry level students, a series of introduction presentations will be given. The list of topics go as the following: design, manufacturing, electronics/PCB, sensors, embedded system programming, mechanism design/robotics, Raspberry PI, Robot operating system, webpage design, Python, LabVIEW, computer vision, robot simulation. Based on the content of these presentations, a series of exercise that would boost the understanding level of the students would be provided.

During the program, students are expected to complete mechanical assembly and control of a mobile robot platform as well as a robot arm. By doing so, students will be familiar with key concepts in robotics. A final competition will be held to allow students apply the techniques to complete a pick and place challenge.

The overall goal of the program is to get the students familiar with the field of robotics and identify their own interest. This would help the students to identify their future major and decide on what classes to take.