Mobile Robotics Laboratory

 | Introduction

The capabilities of mechanical devices such as mobile robots are currently immense. Robots can operate autonomously for many hours, utilize advanced sensors to perceive their surroundings, and even interact with their environments. A robot can analyze visible light and sound (using cameras and microphones), measure distances from obstacles (with precision laser rangefinders), and determine its position (using GPS). Modern robots can move via wheels or legs as well as by flying and swimming.

In the coming years, robots will undoubtedly find increasingly practical applications in industries, households, and entertainment. However, harnessing a robot’s potential to accomplish specific tasks requires the development of appropriate software. In the Mobile Robotics Laboratory, students acquire knowledge about programming methods for mobile robots that are designed to perform a wide range of tasks. They learn techniques for controlling multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arms, create algorithms for the localization and navigation of wheeled robots, and utilize sensors for environmental perception and interaction. They also work on solving problems that are related to the collaboration of multiple robots and human-robot interactions.

 | Laboratory

The Mobile Robotics Laboratory is located in Room 2.34 in Building D-17.

The equipment and software that are available in the laboratory allow for analyses of various problems that are related to the development of software for mobile robots.

 | Equipment details

The equipment details include the following:

1. Ten four-wheeled robots that are based on the Lynxmotion A4WD1 platform and equipped with:

• - PandaBoard ES single-board computers;
• - DC motors that are capable of speeds of up to 3 m/s;
• - Orientation and acceleration sensors (with nine degrees of freedom);
• - Hagisonic StarGazer (for localization);
• - Hokuyo URG-04LX-UG01 laser scanners.

2. Eleven two-wheeled Miabot robots (compliant with the FIRA MiroSot specification), along with a complete setup for robot soccer matches.
3. A six-legged walking robot (Lynxmotion BH3-R).
4. Two robotic arms with five and six degrees of freedom (equipped with grippers).

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