King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
College of Computer Sciences and Engineering
Computer Engineering Department

 

ROBOTICS

Motion, Vision, Self-Localization, and Intelligence

COE 584  

SPRING 2009  

                                                   Watch the Robocup 2007 Germany-Japan Game

RoboCup is an international joint project to foster AI and intelligent robotics research by providing a standard problem. The ultimate goal of RoboCup is to develop by 2050 a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots that can win against the human world champion team in soccer. This idea will promote advancing human knowledge about autonomous robotics and will culminate by an intelligent robot that will assist human in many aspect of life. The educational approach is estimated to be one of the most effective because it teaches sophisticated robotic intelligence design through the programming of a robotic game, e.g. teaching by playing.

• Instructor: Prof. Mayez Al-Mouhamed, Professor, Computer Engineering Dept.

• Objective: To develop an awareness of Autonomous Robotics at KFUPM and public:

• Develop a course platform for teaching by playing

• Enables KFUPM Students participate in International Robocup Competition

• Promote a robotic culture in students and generally in the public

• Office: 22/400-3; Tel. # 2934 (office)

  Office hours: S.M.W. 9-10 am and U.T. 11-12 am and by appointment in the case of time conflict.

• Robotics Lab: 22-339-A with phone 3536

• Text Book: Instructor notes will be electronically distributed as well as extensive course material.

• Grading:

• Exam 1: 10/100, Exam 2: 10/100, Homework: 10/100, Project 50%, and Final Exam: 20/100.

• Exam 1: (Saturday, March 15, 2008), (Saturday, April 26, 2008), and Final Exam: will be scheduled by the registrar.

     

• References:

  • Extensive instructor course material can be found at URL: http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~mayez/ps-coe484/coe484-syllabus.html

  • Building Robots With Lego Mindstorms : The Ultimate Tool for Mindstorms Maniacs Published in Paperback by Syngress (15 December, 2001) Authors: Mario Ferrari, Giulio Ferrari, and Ralph Hempel.

  • Robot Teams: From Diversity to Polymorphism Published in Hardcover by A K Peters Ltd (April, 2002) Authors: Tucker Balch and Lynne E. Parker.

  • Robots: Bringing Intelligent Machines to Life Published in Hardcover by Barrons Educational Series (2002) Author: Ruth Aylett.

• Email: mayez@ccse.kfupm.edu.sa

• Course Information/documentation:

       http://www.ccse.kfupm.edu.sa/~mayez/ps-coe484/coe484-syllabus.html

Course Description:

Taxonomy of robots, Internet robotics, Autonomous Robots, robotic sensor networks, and applications. Linear algebra, motion coordination, singularities, and multiple solutions. Internet tele-robotics.  Autonomous robotics, robot mechanisms and control, sensing and perception, robot vision and programming, self-localization, control and planning architectures behavior-based control programming. Humanoid programming and gaming.

Course Outline:  

1.        Introduction (4 lectures): History of robotics, notion of motion coordination, programming paradigm, computer-controlled robot systems, robot trajectory, control, and sensing. Autonomous Robotics: Motion, Sensing, and Programming and programming.

2.        Motion coordination (10 lecures): Linear algebra, frame, linear operators, translation, rotation, and properties. The forward geometric model, inverse model, examples, redundancy, singularities, multiple solutions, and robot programming.

3.        Robotic Vision (10 Lectures): mechanism, control, sensing and perception, vision and programming, self-localization,

4.        Telerobotics (5 lectures): Client-Server software architecture for telerobotics. Distributed-component, Multi-threading, and. functionalities such as space indexing, scalability, and stereo vision. Real-time streaming of commands and sensor data. Performance of real-time streaming over Internet.

5.        Autonomous robotics (15 lectures): Humanoid (Kondo KHR) control and planning architectures. The reactive, subsumptive, and deliberative control behaviors. Behavior-based control programming. Robocup humanoid programming and gaming (8 lectures).

Proposed Projects:

1. Programming the Kondo KHR (Download Demo 1 (6.5MB), Demo 2 (22 MB), and Demo3 (11 MB)) humanoid robot for Soccer Gaming (Robocup):  programming the motion, vision, self-localization, control and behavior-based control for soccer game. To work towards the Robocup Goal, annual robot competitions are held. The Humanoid League (http://www.humanoidsoccer.org/index.html) competition is one option in the International RoboCup Competition. This competition is attracting student participation from all around the world specifically from Universities in North America, Europe, Japan, Corea, China, and Iran.

Kondo KHR-1 Humanoid Robot Kit

In the Humanoid League, autonomous robots with a human-like body plan and human-like senses play soccer against each other. In addition to soccer games, penalty kick competitions and technical challenges will take place. The robots are divided into two size classes: KidSize (30-60cm height) and TeenSize (65-130cm height). Dynamic walking, running, and kicking the ball while maintaining balance, visual perception of the ball, other players, and the field, self-localization, and team play are among the many research issues investigated in the Humanoid League.

2. Distributed robotic intelligence using the Stargate Sensor Network System. Inter-robot communication is supported using INTEL Xscale Stargate (Crossbow) operating as a distributed embedded processor node each has wireless communication capabilities. Distributed auction for multi-robot task allocation in a power aware system. Eight Stargate Sensor Network nodes are available.

3. Wireless Sensor Network for relaying sensor data to a client using the MICA2/DOT Professional KIT for robot sensor network (MOTE-KIT 5x4x) which is also available.

4. Free project of your choice