Introduction to Robotics & Mechatronics (151-0641-00) :: Syllabus

Instructor
Prof. Dr. Bradley Nelson
CLA H 15.2
Phone: +41 44 632 55 29
bnelson@ethz.ch

Assistants

Dimitris Felekis
CLA H19
Phone: +41 44 632 26 83
dfelekis@ethz.ch

Kathrin Peyer
CLA H16
Phone: +41 44 632 55 54
peyerk@ethz.ch

Learning Objectives

An ever increasing number of mechatronic systems are finding their way into our daily lives. Mechatronic systems synergistically combine computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Robotics systems can be viewed as a subset of mechatronics that focuses on sophisticated control of moving devices. The aim of this lecture is to expose students to the fundamentals of these systems. Over the course of these lectures, topics will include how to interface a computer with the real world, different types of sensors and their use, different types of actuators and their use, and forward and inverse kinematics of simple two link robotic manipulators. Throughout the course students will periodically attend laboratory sessions and implement lessons learned during lectures on real mechatronic systems.

Lecture: Spring Semester (FS), Mondays, 16.00 - 18.00, HG E41 (detailed lecture plan see below)
Please note: this site will be updated with the new Semester dates and information at the beginning of the Spring Semester 2012.

Lab:

Room: CLA F22. Detailed lab plan see below.
Wednesdays, 10.00 - 12.00
Other lab sessions will be determined at the beginning of the semester.
You will be able to access the lab at any time using the PIN code which will be given to you the first day.

Please keep this code confidential. Note that the CLA building cannot be re-entered from 19:00 to 07:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends.
A different person will type at every lab session.

ECTS credits: 4 ECTS

Number of participants: restricted to max. 45 students

Language: English

Fokus: Mechatronik (BSc. Mech. Engin.)

Prerequisite: Students are expected to be familiar with C programming.

Office hours: If you have a question, feel free to ask the teaching assistants either by email or in person. The teaching assistants will be present during lab sessions in CLA F22, otherwise you'll find them in their offices.

Exams: The written examination will cover both the lecture and the labs, including prelabs and postlabs. See lecture plan for the date. You are allowed to bring a one sheet (double-sided) handwritten summary (no copies) to the exam.

Grading:

The final grade consists in the weighted average of the overall lab participation grade and the written examination grade.
The overall lab participation grade consists in the average of each lab's grade.
A lab grade consists in the weighted average of the prelab and the postlab and lab report.
One pre-lab report will be turned in for each group. The deadline to turn the pre-labs in is at the beginning of the respective lab session. No late prelab will be accepted.
One postlab and lab report will be turned in for each group. The deadline to turn these in is at the beginning of the following lab session. No late postlab and lab report will be accepted. Any person absent without leave at the lab session will not receive the credits for that postlab and lab report.

Lecture Plan

No.	Date	Topic	Description
0			Semester dates & detailed lecture plan will be updated at the beginning of the Spring Semester 2012.

Lab Plan

No.	Date	Topic	Description
0			Semester dates & detailed lab plan will be updated at the beginning of the Spring Semester 2012.