Sustainability robotics

ENV-530 / 3 credits

Teacher: Kovac Mirko

Language: English

Summary

The goal of this course is to provide methods and tools of robotics in promoting sustainable development. The course is a balance between theoretical basics in robotics, associated case studies and project based learning.

Content

Introduction to Robotics: Introduction to key concepts in Robotics. Application examples include environmental and field robotics and development trends in the academic and industrial community.

Fundamentals of robotic systems: System components of ground based and aerial robots (e.g. hardware, software, sensors, system architecture, microcontrollers). Modeling, scaling and design of aerial robots given operational and payload constraints.

Project on robotics and AI for sustainability: Definition of end user requirements, project planning and contextualisation within the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Group based execution and presentation.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Environmental Sensing

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

None

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of common robotics building blocks and architectures
  • Explain the results of the mini project and contextualise it in larger robotics trends
  • Recognize key robotics concepts and terminology
  • Recognize and articulate the relationshiop between robotics and sustainability

Transversal skills

  • Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
  • Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
  • Manage priorities.
  • Write a scientific or technical report.

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercices session and a project

Assessment methods

The final grade will be based on the evaluation of the report from the project (50%) and a written exam during the exam session (50%).

Resources

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Sustainability robotics
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Sustainability robotics
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

Related courses

Results from graphsearch.epfl.ch.