Transcript A Robotics Engineering Major

A Robotics Engineering Major
Michael A. Gennert
Acting Director, Robotics Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Research in Robots for Education
30 June 2007
Major Contributors
 Michael J. Ciaraldi, CS
 David Cyganski, ECE
 Michael A. Demetriou, ME
 Brad A. Miller, ME
 Yiming Rong, ME
 Lance E. Schachterle, HUA & Associate Provost
 Kenneth A. Stafford, ME
 Grétar Tryggvason, ME
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Motivation for Robotics Major
Growth in importance of Robotics
 Push of tech capability
& cost
 Pull of consumer, defense, entertainment, elder care, med
K-12 interest in Robotics
 Offer students what they want
Great fit for WPI
 Strong CS, ECE, ME
 Project-based curricula
 FIRST Team 190 tradition
Lead
 Who are Schmied, Marmet, Reist, von Gunten?
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Principles
Clearly articulated objectives
Broadly-based program
Flexible
Accreditable
4 years
Consistent w/ WPI educational philosophy
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Program Objectives
 Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals
of CS, ECE, ME, and Systems Engineering.
 Apply these abstract concepts and practical skills
to design and construct robots and robotic systems
for diverse applications.
 Have the imagination to see how robotics can be
used to improve society and the entrepreneurial
background and spirit to make their ideas become
reality.
 Demonstrate the ethical behavior and standards
expected of responsible professionals functioning
in a diverse society.
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Other Principles
Broadly-based Program
ECE: Embedded Computing Systems
CS: Algorithms and Software Engineering
ES/ME: Statics and Controls
Flexibility
Electives: Robotics & unrestricted
Paths: Multiple
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Other Principles
Accreditable
Adds credibility for students, faculty
FPE Exam, ROTC
4 years
Fits better in 5, but…
WPI Philosophy
“Lehr und Kunst” — Theory and practice
Project-based learning
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Curriculum 1.0
Black: Required General Education (12 courses)
Green: Required Basic Math and Science (9 courses)
Purple: Recommended Basic Math and Science (3 courses)
Red: Required Engineering (13 courses)
Blue: Recommended Engineering and Free Electives (9 courses)
Class
A Term
B Term
C Term
D Term
Freshman
MA 1021
PH 1110
HU
MA 1022
BB 1001
HU
MA 1023
PE
HU
MA 1024
PH 1120
HU
Sophomore
CS 1101
RBE 1001
HU
CS 2102
MA 2071
HU-SUFF
CS 2303
ECE 2011
SS
MA 2051
ECE 2022
SS
Junior
ECE 2801
ES 2501
IQP
ES 2503
CS 2223
IQP
ME 3310
Robotics Preparation
IQP
ECE 2311
CS 3733
Robotics Elective 1
Senior
CS 4341
ES 3011
Sr Proj
Robotics Elective 2
Free Elective
Sr Proj
Robotics Elective 3
Free Elective
Sr Proj
Free Elective
Where’s the Robotics?
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Curriculum 2.0
MA, Physics
Intro to Robotics
CS, ECE, ES/ME
Intro courses
Unified Robotics I: Power
Unified Robotics II: Sensing
Unified Robotics III: Manipulation
Unified Robotics IV: Navigation
Complete dependency
graph more complicated,
but still a DAG
Robotics electives & Project
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Typical Program
Year
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
A Term
MA 1021
PH 1110/1
CS 1101/2
RBE 2001
ECE 2801
HU
ETR 3910
HU
IQP
B Term
MA 1022
PH 1120/1
RBE 1001
RBE 2002
MA 2051
CS 2223
MA 2611
HU
IQP
Science
Robotics
Elective 3
Sr Project
C Term
MA 1023
PH 2201
HU
RBE 3001
ES 3011
SS
MA 2071
Robotics
Elective 1
IQP
Free Elective 1 Free Elective 3
Free Elective 2 Sr Project
Sr Project
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
D Term
MA 1024
ECE 2022
HU
RBE 3002
SS
HU
Social Issues
Robotics
Elective 2
CS 3733
30 June 2007
Robotics Engineering Program
WPI Reqs
Sr Proj
Entreprn
RBE
Elect
Free
Gen Ed
HU&A
Soc Sci +
Proj
RBE
Core
Math
Phys Ed
ES/ME
ECE CS
Sci/Eng
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
ABET Reqs
30 June 2007
Lessons Learned
Need vision & passion… & a business plan
Bottom-up approach better than top-down
Stick to one’s principles
Be open to compromise on anything else
Communicate
Be bold!
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007
Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major
30 June 2007