The module will introduce you to the design, technology and operation of robot systems (including machine vision) as an example of an integrated system embodying a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines. The focus will be on introducing the fundamentals and essential elements of robotics and the control field. You will also learn basic programming with a connection to the covered studies in robotics.  

• Explain the technology of robot manipulators and image processing. 
• Comprehend the computational techniques of image processing, interpretation and integration. 
• Calculate the robot kinematics and be able to utilise kinematic and dynamic models of robots in different problems. 
• Know the algorithms of image processing in the context of robot vision. 
• Assess real-world robot control methods and analyse their performance and behaviour.

The module will be delivered through a blend of online teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus face-to-face classes (tutorials, feedback sessions). These are used to explain the main principles of Robot Manipulators and External Sensing and to develop your understanding of the material and its engineering relevance. Software programming using Matlab will be integrated in the teaching materials to demonstrate the techniques of robotics and image processing. 

You will also need to undertake additional reading and self-study to reinforce and extend the lecture material. 

Throughout the module, you will develop your academic skills in independent and critical thinking. You will need to: 

• Analyse and derive the kinematics of robot manipulators 
• Understand the fundamentals of robotics and control 
• Write software programs in Matlab for calculating robot kinematics 
• Write software programs in Matlab for image-processing techniques 
• Understand how to determine the problem-solving in robotics topics 

This module is assessed through two summative components, as follows: 

1. A coursework (LO 1-2, 4). This coursework is set in the middle of the semester and is worth 30%.  

2. A 90 mins written examination (LO 1-5). The examination is held during the Autumn Semester Examination Period and is worth 70% of the module mark. The examination consists of three questions in total.  

Verbal feedback on formative work will be provided in class. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

There is a potential for re-assessment in this module which will be set at component level. 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 
 

• Introduction to Robot Technology: Mechanics, actuators, sensors, controller architecture. 

• Software programming in Matlab: Language features, Programming Techniques 

• Robot Kinematics: Forward and Inverse Kinematics, Design implications. 

• Robot Control: effects of robot dynamics, trajectory planning and joint coordination. 

• Robot Sensing and Machine Vision: Image acquisition, processing, recognition and other sensor technologies.