Human-Centric Robot Simulation using Microsoft Robotics Studio

Summer C (May 12 -July 18)
CIS 4900-020 and CSI 6900-020

 
It's independent study- but there will be a few meetings.

First Meeting is Friday, May 16, 1-4 in ENB116 (see below for more details)


Instructor: Prof. Robin R. Murphy (and Prof. Rajiv Dubey in Mechanical Engineering)
Office hours: by email appointment

·       Course Objectives

·       Attendance Policy

·       Grading Policy

·       Dates of scheduled exams, course outline including assignments and dates due

·       Notice of non-permission to sell notes or tapes of class lectures

·       Required textbook

·       Policy statement on missed work

·       Reminder to student who anticipate being absent from class due to religious observances

UPDATE 5/12/08

We will have our first meeting this Friday (May 16) from 1-4 in ENB116 with Dan Waters, Microsoft. This will be a tutorial/introduction to Microsoft Robotics Studio and we will answer some general questions about the independent study. Please bring a laptop with MRS installed if at all possible to the tutorial. You should download and experiment with it so that you can have a set of questions to ask.  One of the robots that will be used in some of the projects is the Corobot   http://www.corobot.net/   so if you want to experiment with that platform, that's a good starting point.

We will be using Blackboard to communicate-- so make sure your email works through it. Also, this website will be updated with info.

We have about 25 people (eeek!) more for the independent study than we expected, so this is causing Dr. Dubey and I to have to re-think how we're going to do the tours, etc. Everything is the same as on the webpage- it just changes some logistics.

We will have tours and discussions of the robotics labs:

Friday, May 30, Rescue robotics lab tour and project discussion. 1-4PM meet outside ENB223.

 

HOW TO REGISTER

Go to Yvette Blanchard in ENB342 and she will help you with an independent study contract. Then find me during office hours to sign unless I’ve given approval by email.

 

Independent study contract- if Yvette doesn’t tell you, this is what you put in the independent study “contract.”

 

In this independent study, I will

 

Course Objectives

This 3 credit hour independent study course will be a hands-on introduction to human-centric robotics using the Microsoft Robotics Studio simulation package. It will be a great opportunity to expand your programming and engineering skills, even if you aren’t interested in robots. Excellent projects will lead to REU positions for the Fall and possibly even internships at MS…

 

Students will be expected to

You have to have programming expertise in ONE of the following languages, not all: Pascal, C, C++, JAVA, FORTRAN or by special permission.

You can use any of the .net languages or VPL. But we will not cover or assist with you learning a language- it's an independent study.

Other specifics about programming with MRS are available by looking it up under "microsoft robotics studio"

After you see what is possible to do (i.e., MRS) and what we do (i.e., take the tours), then we'll talk projects. No sense wasting bandwidth now.

You can work with a partner or by yourself. You should meet people at the tutorial and tours, otherwise I suppose there's eHarmony ;-)

Attendance Policy

You will have to attend the tutorial, the tours, and the presentation. The Microsoft workshop will most likely be 1 or 2 days and on a Friday or Thursday/Friday in May to minimize impact on your schedule.

Tours, presentations, etc. will be scheduled for Fridays to minimize impact on your schedule.  Of course, this could impact your beach schedule…

CURRENT SCHEDULE

May 16            Tutorial 1-4     ENB116

May 30            Rescue robotics lab tour and discussion of rescue-related projects 1-4 ENB223

Grading Policy

Grading will be based on:

Academic dishonesty All aspects of the USF and CSE policies on academic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. Cheating on a test, pop test, or laboratory will result in immediate removal from the class roll and an "FF" for the course.

Dates of scheduled exams, course outline including assignments and dates due

The Microsoft workshop will most likely be 1 or 2 days and on a Friday or Thursday/Friday in May to minimize impact on your schedule.

Tours, presentations, etc. will be scheduled for Fridays to minimize impact on your schedule.

We do not have firm dates for anything, but assume the presentation is at the end of the semester (d'uh) and the program review a few weeks before the end of the semester.

Your presentation will be to myself and Dr. Dubey. A Microsoft rep might be there or other industry reps and professors.

Notice of non-permission to sell notes or tapes of class lectures

All lecture and laboratory material is copyrighted.

Required textbook or materials

None. You supply your own computer and download MRS yourself.

Policy on Missed Work

If you miss work: Material missed due to recognized absences (illness with doctor's excuse, death in the family) can be made up for full credit. Late material is accepted solely at the discretion of the instructor, assuming that at least 1 class period's prior notice was given.  

Reminder to student who anticipate being absent from class due to religious observances

Student who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.