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This introductory module for the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc programme consists of an initial intensive teaching period, designed to introduce students with diverse backgrounds to the fundamentals knowledge and skills needed to study advanced robotics, and a long-thin period focused on developing broader research and professional skills. It culminates in a mini-conference, where students present their achievements on key project-based modules taken within the MSc.

During the initial teaching period, students learn the fundamentals of modelling, sensing, and control, and work in teams to implement key methods on a simple robotic platform during practical labs. The research and professional development component introduces systems thinking as a perspective on engineering, safety and socio-technical factors, considering how people, processes and technology interact within the context of their environment.

The module also develops core competencies required for practicing as an engineer, including work within diverse and inclusive teams and to support lifelong development of professional and interpersonal skills. This aspect will draw on your experiences during modules such as Robots and Automation in Society and Robots and Automation in Practice. It also gives students a grounding in the research methods and techniques such as critical literature review, that are necessary for planning and execution of summer research projects and project-based coursework. The module includes student planning, organisation and delivery of the mini-conference, held at the end of the teaching year.

This module explores how robots interact with people, society and other aspects of the real world. It considers examples of robots in different domains, when and how people and robots interact, how robots are portrayed in media and fiction, and how together these influence perceptions of robots (e.g. trust) and the development of robotics over time. It then examines current legal and policy approaches to robotics, considering the ethics of robots as part of modern society.

This module explores how robots interact with people, society and other aspects of the real world. It considers examples of robots in different domains, when and how people and robots interact, how robots are portrayed in media and fiction, and how together these influence perceptions of robots (e.g. trust) and the development of robotics over time. It then examines current legal and policy approaches to robotics, considering the ethics of robots as part of modern society.

Students form teams of ~4 to design, develop and demonstrate a robotic solution to a staff/industry posed challenge, using a combination of simulators and simple robotic platforms to deliver representative solutions under controlled experimental conditions. Each groups will be assigned a staff member based on their choice of challenge. The staff member will act as their advisor and represent the stakeholder perspective, with regular timetabled meetings to share progress and receive feedback. Student teams are expected to work independently between meetings to advance their projects.

Teams will manage a small budget, access to the relevant facilities, and develop their own strategies for system development and testing. Demonstrations must use existing educational robotic facilities at the university, with no major modifications to electronics and hardware. There is a significant emphasis on lab work and experimental data gathering.

Each team will produce an 8-page IEEE conference-style group report, a 15 minute presentation, and a 2 minute solution video. For students on the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc, these outputs must be presented at the MSc RAS mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals, Research Management, and Professional Development module.

Students form teams of ~4 to design, develop and demonstrate a robotic solution to a staff/industry posed challenge, using a combination of simulators and simple robotic platforms to deliver representative solutions under controlled experimental conditions. Each groups will be assigned a staff member based on their choice of challenge. The staff member will act as their advisor and represent the stakeholder perspective, with regular timetabled meetings to share progress and receive feedback. Student teams are expected to work independently between meetings to advance their projects.

Teams will manage a small budget, access to the relevant facilities, and develop their own strategies for system development and testing. Demonstrations must use existing educational robotic facilities at the university, with no major modifications to electronics and hardware. There is a significant emphasis on lab work and experimental data gathering.

Each team will produce an 8-page IEEE conference-style group report, a 15 minute presentation, and a 2 minute solution video. For students on the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc, these outputs must be presented at the MSc RAS mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals, Research Management, and Professional Development module.

Students form teams of ~4 to design, develop and demonstrate a robotic solution to a staff/industry posed challenge, using a combination of simulators and simple robotic platforms to deliver representative solutions under controlled experimental conditions. Each groups will be assigned a staff member based on their choice of challenge. The staff member will act as their advisor and represent the stakeholder perspective, with regular timetabled meetings to share progress and receive feedback. Student teams are expected to work independently between meetings to advance their projects.

Teams will manage a small budget, access to the relevant facilities, and develop their own strategies for system development and testing. Demonstrations must use existing educational robotic facilities at the university, with no major modifications to electronics and hardware. There is a significant emphasis on lab work and experimental data gathering.

Each team will produce an 8-page IEEE conference-style group report, a 15 minute presentation, and a 2 minute solution video. For students on the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc, these outputs must be presented at the MSc RAS mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals, Research Management, and Professional Development module.

Students form teams of ~4 to design, develop and demonstrate a robotic solution to a staff/industry posed challenge, using a combination of simulators and simple robotic platforms to deliver representative solutions under controlled experimental conditions. Each groups will be assigned a staff member based on their choice of challenge. The staff member will act as their advisor and represent the stakeholder perspective, with regular timetabled meetings to share progress and receive feedback. Student teams are expected to work independently between meetings to advance their projects.

Teams will manage a small budget, access to the relevant facilities, and develop their own strategies for system development and testing. Demonstrations must use existing educational robotic facilities at the university, with no major modifications to electronics and hardware. There is a significant emphasis on lab work and experimental data gathering.

Each team will produce an 8-page IEEE conference-style group report, a 15 minute presentation, and a 2 minute solution video. For students on the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc, these outputs must be presented at the MSc RAS mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals, Research Management, and Professional Development module.

This is an individual project based module where students critically review literature on the broader societal, regulatory, ethical and human-centred dimensions of a robotic domain of their choice, including safety and security.

Students will form peer groups with an assigned mentor and attend regular timetabled meetings to share and receive regular feedback on their progress. Students will also participate in a structured debate presenting different perspectives on a set aspect of robotics in society. Each student will produce an 8 page IEEE conference style individual policy paper and poster on their chosen topic.

For students on the MSc RAS, these may be presented at the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals and Research Management module.

This is an individual project based module where students critically review literature on the broader societal, regulatory, ethical and human-centred dimensions of a robotic domain of their choice, including safety and security.

Students will form peer groups with an assigned mentor and attend regular timetabled meetings to share and receive regular feedback on their progress. Students will also participate in a structured debate presenting different perspectives on a set aspect of robotics in society. Each student will produce an 8 page IEEE conference style individual policy paper and poster on their chosen topic.

For students on the MSc RAS, these may be presented at the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals and Research Management module.

This is an individual project based module where students critically review literature on the broader societal, regulatory, ethical and human-centred dimensions of a robotic domain of their choice, including safety and security.

Students will form peer groups with an assigned mentor and attend regular timetabled meetings to share and receive regular feedback on their progress. Students will also participate in a structured debate presenting different perspectives on a set aspect of robotics in society. Each student will produce an 8 page IEEE conference style individual policy paper and poster on their chosen topic.

For students on the MSc RAS, these may be presented at the Robotics and Autonomous Systems MSc mini-conference organised as part of the Robotics Fundamentals and Research Management module.