Introduction to robotics

Module title:

Introduction to robotics

Module overview:

This module provides students with insight into the basic concepts of robotics, introducing them to the key tools and thinking strategies needed to effectively solve basic challenges in robotics. As a basic robotics module, it serves as a foundation for upcoming robotics electives, which will expand and build upon the knowledge gained through this module. The main goals of the module are:
Familiarize yourself with basic concepts in robotics.
Differentiate between types of robots and their applications.
Become familiar with robot kinematics and dynamics.
Implement guiding the robot along a given path.
Familiarize yourself with the basics of control theory.
Control a robotic arm, a mobile robot and a quadrotor in a virtual environment.

The module requires previous intermediate level programming experience. Module assessment is based on solving practical tasks in the selected programming language and simulator.
In this module students will learn:
basic concepts used in robotics.
distinguish between types of robots and their application in a real environment.
apply direct and inverse kinematics on the selected robotic system.
explain the role of robot dynamics on a concrete example.
implement algorithms for guiding the robot along a given path.
basics of control theory and apply them to the selected robotic system.
distinguish between the concepts of path and trajectory.
implement control of a robotic arm with a special focus on solving a specific task or problem.
implement control of a mobile robot with a special focus on solving a specific task or problem.
implement control of a quadrotor with a special focus on solving a specific task or problem.

Literature:

Required readings:
1. Kovačić, Z., Bogdan, S., Krajči, V. (2002) Osnove robotike. Zagreb: Graphis.
2. Siciliano, B., Khatib, O. (2016) Springer Handbook of Robotics. Springer.

Supplementary readings:
1. Siciliano, B. (2010) Robotics: Modelling, Planning and Control. London: Springer.
2. Joseph, L., Cacace, J. (2018) Mastering ROS for Robotics Programming - Second Edition: Design, Build, and Simulate Complex Robots Using the Robot Operating System. 2nd edn. Birmingham: Packt Publishing.