Columbia University, Computer Science
Department Columbia University, Computer Science Department



COMS W4733, Computational Aspects of Robotics
Fall 2011

Instructor: Professor Peter Allen
Office: 619 CEPSR
Phone: 939-7093
email: allen@cs.columbia.edu
Office Hours: T 1:30 - 3:30 or by appointment
Class Hours: T- TH 10:35-11:50 AM, 535 Mudd

TEACHING ASSISTANT:

TEXTS

ROBOT

In-class students will receive an iRobot Create robot for use in the class, usually in a team of 2 or 3 students. An auxiliary bluetooth interface for untethered operation needs to be purchased for $59.00, which can be split between the team members.

CVN students will need to purchase their own robot for $129. The robot can be run tethered without the bluetooth by umbilical connection, but is much easier with the bluetooth device which costs $59.

PRE-REQUISITES

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is an overview of the field of robotics. The intent of this course is to give students an in-depth understanding of how robots work, and the application and use of computers to typical robotic problems. Students will also be exposed to current research directions in robotics. A key component of the class is hands-on programming of small mobile robots to implement higher level robotic path planning and sensing algorithms. Students will work in teams to have their robotic platforms perform intelligent action using sensing-actuation feedback loops.

The course will be a lecture course meeting twice a week. There will be 4-5 homework assignments, a midterm, and a final exam required. The homework will include programming real robots. Grading is homework 50%, midterm 20%, final 30%.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED


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