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

A picture of a Neato robotic vacuum cleaner with a custom remote control interface based on Raspberry Pi

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 Neato robot in an empty, simulated world

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 Neato robot in an empty, simulated world

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 Neato robot in an empty, simulated 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 Neato robot in an empty, simulated world

The computer vision project is an open-ended project on using computer vision in the context of robotics.

Supporting Documents

Final Project

The Neato robot in an empty, simulated world

The final project is an open-ended project that lets students explore a robotics topic and algorithms in depth.

Supporting Documents

In-class Activities

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.