Course Description

Robotics is transforming how we work and live, moving beyond factory automation into everyday environments. This course introduces the computational foundations of robotics and explores how robots perceive, plan, and act in the physical world. We will cover core topics such as coordinate transformations, kinematics, motion planning (search, PRM, RRT), and control (position and impedance). Building on these foundations, the course examines modern perception and learning techniques, including camera models and calibration, SLAM, supervised and imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and the integration of large-scale vision, language, and action models. Students will engage with both theory and practice through homework, midterm evaluation, and a project that spans proposal, milestones, and final presentation/report. By the end of the course, students will gain the computational and algorithmic skills necessary to design, simulate, and implement autonomous robotic systems capable of operating in diverse and unstructured environments.

Course Time and Location

Lecture: 2:40pm - 3:55pm, Mondays and Wednesdays
Location: 451 CSB

Online Platforms

courseworks
Ed Discussion

Learning Objectives

This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in robotics and computational methods. Through the curriculum, students will:

• Understand the mathematical foundations of robotics including coordinate transformations, kinematics, and dynamics
• Learn fundamental algorithms for motion planning, control, and perception in robotics
• Gain practical experience implementing robotic algorithms and working with simulation environments
• Develop skills to analyze and design robotic systems for real-world applications

Prerequisites

Students are expected to have the following backgrounds:

• Strong programming skills in Python and familiarity with basic data structures and algorithms
• Solid foundation in calculus, linear algebra, and basic probability/statistics
• Basic understanding of physics and mechanics (recommended)
• Interest in applying mathematical concepts and algorithms to robotics problems