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Robotics Engineering

Director: M.A. Gennert
Associated Faculty: H. K. Ault (ME), D. C. Brown (CS), M. J. Ciaraldi (CS), D. Cyganski (ECE), M. A. Demetriou (ME), R. J. Duckworth (ECE), A. E. Emanuel (ECE), M. S. Fofana (ME), C. Furlong-Vazquez (ME), M. A. Gennert (CS), A. H. Hoffman (ME), X. Huang (ECE), I. Hussein (ME), S. Jarvis (ECE), R. W. Lindeman (CS), F. J. Looft (ECE), W. R. Michalson (ECE), R. L. Norton (ME), G. F. Pollice (CS), C. Rich (CS), Y. Rong (ME), L. E. Schachterle (Provost’s Office), K. A. Stafford (ME), G. Tryggvason (ME), J. Van de Ven (ME)

Mission Statement

Robotics—the combination of sensing, computation and actuation in the real world—is on the verge of rapid growth, driven by both supply and demand. The supply side is driven by decreasing cost and increasing availability of sensors, computing devices, and actuators. The demand side is driven by national needs for defense and security, elder care, automation of household tasks, customized manufacturing, and interactive entertainment. Engineers working in the robotics industry are mostly trained in one of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Software Engineering. No single discipline provides the breadth demanded by robotics in the future.

Program Educational Objectives

The Robotics Engineering Program strives to educate men and women to

• Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, 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.

Program Outcomes

Graduating students will have

• an ability to apply broad knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data,
• an ability to design a robotic system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability,
• an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams,
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems,
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility,
• an ability to communicate effectively,
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context,
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning,
• a knowledge of contemporary issues, and
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Program Distribution Requirements for the Robotics Engineering Major

	Requirements	Minimum Units
1.	Mathematics (Note 1)	7/3
2.	Basic Science (Note 2)	4/3
3.	Entrepreneurship	1/3
4.	Engineering Science and Design, including the MQP (Notes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)	6*

Notes:

1. Must include Differential and Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, and Probability or Statistics.
2. Must include at least 2/3 units in Physics.
3. Must include at least 5/3 units in Robotics Engineering.
4. Must include at least 1 unit in Computer Science, including Algorithms and Software Engineering.
5. Must include at least 2/3 units in Electrical and Computer Engineering, including Embedded Systems.
6. Must include at least 1/3 unit in Statics and 1/3 unit in Controls.
7. Must include at least 1/3 unit of Social Implications of Technology (CS 3043, GOV 2302, GOV/ID 2314, IMGD 2000, STS 2208)..
8. Must include at least 1 unit from a list of Robotics Electives, of which at least 1/3 unit must be in Advanced Systems (CS 4341, ECE 3308, ME 3310).
9. The MQP must be a Capstone Design Experience in Robotics Engineering.

* 6 units if GOV 2302, GOV/ID 2314, or STS 2208 are double-counted as meeting the Social Science Requirement and Engineering Science and Design Requirement.

Other Robotics Programs

WPI students can also pursue specializations involving Robotics in several departments and programs. The department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the department of Computer Science both encourage a focus on robotics, as detailed in their departmental descriptions. The department of Mechanical Engineering is developing a similar focus. All three of these departments have sponsored final capstone design projects involving the application of their disciplines to robotics.

Robotics activities are coordinated by Ken Stafford, Manager of Academic Initiatives and head of the WPI FIRST competitive program. He oversees an active lab where students design various robotics devices in the lower level of Higgins Laboratories. You may contact him for information at (508) 831-6122 or stafford@wpi.edu.

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Last modified: February 26, 2008 10:45:53