The Olin College course “A Computational Introduction to Robotics” (CompRobo) serves as a tour through some of the most important ideas at the heart of modern robotics. The course utilizes a project-based learning pedagogy that allows students to build mastery of key concepts while also allowing for a great deal of student choice and autonomy. The major focal points of the course are mobile robotics, computer vision, and machine learning. This year we are also piloting student led discussions on societal issues and robotics.
Robot Details and Documentation
The documentation describes both how to connect to the the physical robot or a simulator and how to build your own customized Neato.
Student Facing Documentation
Teaching Team Documentation
Warmup Project
The Warmup Project provides a scaffolded assignment for students to get up to speed with important concepts in ROS through implementing compelling behaviors on a robot. The project emphasizes the establishment of good practices such as debugging techniques and visualization.
Supporting Documents
Robot Localization Project
The Robot localization project is a scaffolded assignment for students to learn about the particle filter algorithm. Along the way the will learn some basics of Bayesian inference and some new ROS tools and workflows.
Supporting Documents
Robots in the World
The goal of this assignment is to examine the effects robots are having on our world and what we can do to make that effect positive. (TODO: Better image)
Supporting Documents
Computer Vision Project
The computer vision project is an open-ended project on using computer vision in the context of robotics.
Supporting Documents
Final Project
The final project is an open-ended project that lets students explore a robotics topic and algorithms in depth.
Supporting Documents
In-class Activities
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
- Day 17
- Day 18
- Day 19
- Day 22
- Day 24
Conclusion and Learning More
CompRobo serves as a fun, hands-on introduction to key ideas in robotics algorithms and toolsets. Despite the fact that the course is successful at Olin, we realize that everyone’s institutional context is different. To connect with folks at Olin College to learn more about this module or determine how you might build off of this at your own institution, e-mail Collaboratory@olin.edu to start the conversation.