Course: Begin Robotics

In the video above, Richard takes you through some key topics for Week 3. We know about the robot and its anatomy. It has sensors to perceive its environment. It …

This week we focus on the robot itself; the constituent parts (its anatomy). This includes: the means to allow it to move and to sense its environment its ‘brain’ its …

This video will introduce you to the topics we’ll be covering over the next four weeks, and what you’ll need to do to get started. Transcripts are available for all …

In the final exercise on the course, you will be able to define the robot speed to specify the value of the neurons in the vehicles. In this video, Richard …

In the exercise in the next step you will have the chance to drive your robot around a maze. Before you get started, take a look at this video in …

If, for whatever reason, you weren’t able to try the simulations for yourself this week or you’re curious to find out how others got on, take a look at this …

In this video, Richard shows you three examples of final year project work from students at the University of Reading: Isaac Ashdown explored the probability of a robot choosing a …

In this video, Richard explains fractals in more detail. He uses a simulation to explain how different fractals can be used to produce realistic looking models of artificial life. To …

Another example of cooperative behaviour is ‘flocking’, where ‘animals’ move around in formation. Sheep provide a good example of this in nature, where there is one leader and the rest …

Meet Maitreyee Wairagkar, who graduated from the University of Reading with a degree in Cybernetics. Maitreyee continued to study at Reading, and was awarded MEng in Artificial Intelligence and Cybernetics. …

We have described some simple examples of artificial life: Simple robots with built-in instincts Robots with the ability to learn. We have looked at multiple robots interacting: Predator, prey. But …

Ants are following these simple rules: Condition Action Not carrying food and not on pheromone trail Walk randomly, laying pheromone Not carrying food but on pheromone trail Follow trail laying …

There are numerous examples from nature of cooperation Insects pollinating plants Birds eating food between teeth of hippos Specifically relating to cooperating on a task via communication Bees dancing in …

In this video Richard explains how to make a robot with two sensors learn a task. Key concepts include: Setting the scene – how a robot avoids obstacles. Rules of …

Instinctive behaviour is ‘hard wired’ into living things. Insects for example, automatically fly around. They have simple sensors that allow them to perceive their surroundings, detect food and avoid obstacles; …