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ME 597/739 - Autonomous Mobile Robots
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This course will introduce students to a variety of autonomous mobile robots, but concentrate on wheeled robots. In particular students will build, experiment with and compete with the mini-sumo MARK III robots. Topics to be covered include robot platforms & modelling, control structures, sensing & estimation, localization, motion planning and multi-robot systems.
Nov 26, 2005
The mini sumo robot competition will be held in class.
For some additional rules that are new to this year's
competition, see the mini sumo
page.
Nov 2, 2005
As stated in class, the exam will be in class on Nov.
9th. It will last 2 to 2.5 hours (TBD). Last year's exam
is posted on the lectures web page. Note that not all
material covered last year has been covered this year,
and you will not be responsible for that material not
covered.
Oct 24, 2005
For question 2 on assignment 2. There is some ambiguity
on the direction of the camera and laser. The laser is
pointed directly at the wall (i.e. the laser is
perpendicular to the wall). The camera is facing the
wall, pointed down at an angle of 30 degrees. Thus if
viewed from above, both the camera and laser appear
perpendicular to the wall. If viewed from a side
profile, the laser is perpendicular, but the camera is
30 degrees off horizontal.
Oct 24, 2005
Class, this friday's lecture is confirmed to be at a
later time:
3:00-3:50
DWE 2536
Oct 22, 2005
I am proposing the following changes to this coming
weeks schedule:
1. Wednesday's lecture will cover the line fitting to a
wall, this should help with your lab. Also, I will
provide more information on covariance. This year's
class is not as prepared on the subject (not your
fault), and I think it is worthwhile to make sure
everyone understands.
2. The lab will be due on Friday instead of Wednesday.
Please slide a hardcopy under my office door by the end
of the day.
3. On Friday, I will have an extra lecture to introduce
you to Markov localization and particle filters. The
lecture will be 2-3, and I will book a classroom this
week (details to come). Please advise if there is a
conflict with another class.
4. Assignment is still due on Wednesday. Please ask for
help if you need it.
Thanks, and I hope everyone has a good weekend.
Oct 10, 2005
I will have Office hours on Tuesday this week, from 2-3. My office is E3-4106 (north end of E3).
Oct 10, 2005
For Assignment 1, the omni-directional wheel in question 3 is not powered (i.e. not controlled). For the last question, the figures do not need to be exactly as they appear in the text. Different gains or time steps will alter the shape slightly. Also, some symmetries allow the curve to be reflected. Note that robots should not have to perform a rotation of more than 180 degrees throughout the trajectory.
Sept 1, 2005
Last year the course was launched with great success. It had a high approval rating, despite the heavy workload. This year the workload will be reduced. Last year's first annual ME 597 Mini-Sumo Robot competition was also a great success. The competitors demonstrated some fierce competition, but one team rose to the top... (See more)