A Robotics Engineering Major

Michael A. GennertActing Director, Robotics Engineering

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Research in Robots for Education30 June 2007

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Major Contributors

Michael J. Ciaraldi, CS David Cyganski, ECE Michael A. Demetriou, ME Brad A. Miller, ME Yiming Rong, ME Lance E. Schachterle, HUA & Associate Provost Kenneth A. Stafford, ME Grétar Tryggvason, ME

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Motivation for Robotics MajorGrowth in importance of Robotics Push of tech capability & cost Pull of consumer, defense, entertainment, elder care, med

K-12 interest in Robotics Offer students what they want

Great fit for WPI Strong CS, ECE, ME Project-based curricula FIRST Team 190 tradition

Lead Who are Schmied, Marmet, Reist, von Gunten?

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Principles

Clearly articulated objectivesBroadly-based programFlexibleAccreditable4 yearsConsistent w/ WPI educational philosophy

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Program Objectives

Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of CS, ECE, ME, and Systems Engineering.

Apply these abstract concepts and practical skills to design and construct robots and robotic systems for diverse applications.

Have the imagination to see how robotics can be used to improve society and the entrepreneurial background and spirit to make their ideas become reality.

Demonstrate the ethical behavior and standards expected of responsible professionals functioning in a diverse society.

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Other Principles

Broadly-based ProgramECE: Embedded Computing SystemsCS: Algorithms and Software EngineeringES/ME: Statics and Controls

FlexibilityElectives: Robotics & unrestrictedPaths: Multiple

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Other Principles

AccreditableAdds credibility for students, facultyFPE Exam, ROTC

4 yearsFits better in 5, but…

WPI Philosophy“Lehr und Kunst” — Theory and practiceProject-based learning

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Curriculum 1.0Black: Required General Education (12 courses)Green: Required Basic Math and Science (9 courses)Purple: Recommended Basic Math and Science (3 courses)Red: Required Engineering (13 courses)Blue: Recommended Engineering and Free Electives (9 courses)

Class A Term B Term C Term D Term

Freshman MA 1021PH 1110HU

MA 1022BB 1001HU

MA 1023PEHU

MA 1024PH 1120HU

Sophomore CS 1101RBE 1001HU

CS 2102MA 2071HU-SUFF

CS 2303ECE 2011SS

MA 2051ECE 2022SS

Junior ECE 2801ES 2501IQP

ES 2503CS 2223IQP

ME 3310Robotics PreparationIQP

ECE 2311CS 3733Robotics Elective 1

Senior CS 4341ES 3011Sr Proj

Robotics Elective 2Free ElectiveSr Proj

Robotics Elective 3Free ElectiveSr Proj

Free Elective

Where’s the Robotics?XRBE 1001

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Curriculum 2.0

MA, Physics

CS, ECE, ES/MEIntro courses

Intro to Robotics

Unified Robotics I: PowerUnified Robotics II: SensingUnified Robotics III: ManipulationUnified Robotics IV: Navigation

Robotics electives & Project

Complete dependency graph more complicated, but still a DAG

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Typical Program

Year A Term B Term C Term D Term Freshman MA 1021

PH 1110/1 CS 1101/2

MA 1022 PH 1120/1 RBE 1001

MA 1023 PH 2201 HU

MA 1024 ECE 2022 HU

Sophomore RBE 2001 ECE 2801 HU

RBE 2002 MA 2051 CS 2223

RBE 3001 ES 3011 SS

RBE 3002 SS HU

Junior ETR 3910 HU IQP

MA 2611 HU IQP

MA 2071 Robotics Elective 1 IQP

Social Issues Robotics Elective 2 CS 3733

Senior Science Robotics Elective 3 Sr Project

Free Elective 1 Free Elective 2 Sr Project

Free Elective 3 Sr Project

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Robotics Engineering Program

Free

EntreprnSr Proj

RBE Elect

MathPhys Ed

Soc Sci + Proj

Sci/EngECE

HU&A

RBE Core

CSES/ME

Gen Ed

ABET Reqs

WPI Reqs

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major

Lessons Learned

Need vision & passion… & a business planBottom-up approach better than top-downStick to one’s principlesBe open to compromise on anything elseCommunicateBe bold!

30 June 2007Gennert: A Robotics Engineering Major