Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Code COMP329
Coordinator Dr TR Payne
Computer Science
T.R.Payne@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims
  1. To introduce the student to the concept of an autonomous agent;
  2. To introduce the key approaches developed for decision-making in autonomous systems;
  3. To introduce a contemporary platform for programming agents and multiagent systems;
  4. To introduce the key issues surrounding the development of autonomous robots;
  5. To introduce a contemporary platform for experimental robotics.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module the student will be able to explain the notion of an agent, how agents are distinct from other software paradigms (e.g., objects), and judge the characteristics of applications that lend themselves to an agent-oriented solution;

identify the key issues associated with constructing agents capable of intelligent autonomous action;

describe the main approaches taken to developing such agents;

use a contemporary agent programming platform (e.g., AgentSpeak) for developing significant software or hardware-based agents;

identify key issues involved in building agents that must sense and act within the physical world;

program and deploy autonomous robots for specific tasks.


Syllabus
1 

1. Strand one (2 hours lectures per week): Principles of Autonomous Agents.

what is an agent: agents and objects; agents and expert systems; agents and distributed systems; typical application areas for agent systems. abstract architectures for agents; tasks for agents; the design of intelligent agents - reasoning agents (e.g., Agent0), agents as reactive systems (e.g. subsumption architecture); hybrid agents (e.g., PRS); layered agents (e.g. Interrap); a contemporary programming language for autonomous robots (e.g., AgentSpeak).

2. Strand two (1 hour lectures per week): Principles of Robotics.

The sense -- decide -- act loop. Sensors: passive versus active sensors; light sensors; infra-red sensors; . . . Actuators: motors & servo motors; gearing; manipulators, . . .Movement: path planning; localisation; SLAM; . . .A contemporary experimental robotics platform (eg MINDSTORMS).


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture -

Laboratory Work -


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 30

     10

     40
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 110
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  60 for all CAs  Semester 1  50  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 There is no reassessment opportunity, No resit opportunity for final year modules. 
Coursework  60 for all CAs  Semester 1  50  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assignment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity, No resit opportunity for final year modules. Notes (applying to all assessments) 1 (set of) assessment tasks Series of robot programming tasks undertaken in groups  

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: