Building Intelligent Machines: A Hands-on Journey in AI and Robotics

After this module, you will be better able to: 

1. Describe the benefits of artificial intelligence in the field of robotics and its real-world applications.
2. Explain the principles of machine learning and how it can be applied in computer vision including image recognition and object detection.
3. Communicate ideas clearly between team members from diverse disciplines and harness their different backgrounds and experience to solve complex problems.
4. Collaboratively develop creative strategies to a team-based robotic challenge.
5. Critically analyse the strategies selected and reflect on their advantages and disadvantages.

This module introduces you to the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, highlighting how AI can be harnessed and how it can be utilised to create smarter machines. You will explore the rapid growth of machine learning technologies, in particular computer vision, and the potential real-world applications. Individually you will learn how commonly machine learning methods can be used and in groups you will apply this knowledge to develop complex strategies in a team-based robotic challenge.

You will begin with an introduction into the principles of computer vision and how it can be employed for object recognition. You will then progress to developing your own training data, using this to train and program a robot to interact with its environment in real-time. As part of a team you will design strategies, bringing together different ideas and perspectives while applying critical thinking to test and evaluate ideas you and your team develop. The module will culminate in a team based robotic football challenge where your team will compete with others for the Hackspace Robot Football Cup.

The module combines individual project work with a team-based competitive challenge to help you develop both technical skills and collaborative abilities. Through weekly in-person sessions you will use learn the principles of machine learning, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. You will learn how to program and how computer vision can be applied in robotics. You will be given the freedom to develop your own solutions while collaborating with others from different academic backgrounds. 

You will be required to complete individual work between sessions which will consist of a combination of set tasks, and independent research. As the module progresses you will be expected to communicate asynchronously with other members of your team to develop strategies for the final challenge. You will be guided and supported, but will also have creative freedom to design your program logic, train your models, and make key decisions for your projects.

Coursework: Individual video (100%)

The assessment for the module consists of a reflective analysis of the successes and failures of the team-based challenge. You will critically analyse your individual work and the collaborative strategies and how effective they were in the final challenge.

• Requirements: It is compulsory to take an I-Explore module during your degree (you’ll take an I-Explore module in either your 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your department). You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 105 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes for example reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments, project work and preparing for other assessments 
• I-Explore modules are worth 5 ECTS credit towards your degree; to receive these you will have to pass the module. The numerical mark that you obtain will not be included in the calculation of your final degree result, but it will appear on your transcript 
• This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 6 course 
• This module is offered by Advanced Hackspace.