Robotics and Autonomous Systems Design
Credit points
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Prerequisites
NEE2006 - Energy Conversion and Smart Machines; and
NEE2007 - Advanced Control and Robotics
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
In this design project unit, you will design and develop robotic and autonomous systems that integrate hardware, software, and control technologies into a coherent engineering solution. Building on your earlier studies, you will progress through the full engineering design process, from problem definition and prototyping to validation and presentation, demonstrating creativity and analytical rigour. You will collaborate in teams to manage complexity, address risk, and ensure that your autonomous systems are safe, energy efficient, and socially beneficial. Emphasis is placed on innovation, inclusion, and professional communication in delivering technically and ethically robust solutions. By the end of this unit, you will be able to design, lead, and present a robotics or autonomous systems project that reflects integration, accountability, and contemporary engineering practice.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Integrate cross-disciplinary principles of sensing, control and computation to develop functional and autonomous engineering systems;
- Manage collaborative design projects using structured project-management, systems engineering and risk frameworks;
- Develop innovative, sustainable and ethically responsible design solutions that demonstrate technical rigour, leadership, teamwork, and accountability;
- Justify design outcomes professionally through oral, visual, and technical formats; and
- Reflect on design decisions to improve safety, inclusivity, and real-world performance, fostering continuous innovation and professional growth.
Assessment
For Melbourne campuses
Assessment type: Report | Grade: 15%
Preliminary concept brief with project planning and risk assessment. (Group) (2000 words)
Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: 35%
In-studio subsystem demonstration (Group) (30 mins)
Assessment type: Presentation | Grade: 50%
Oral presentation and Q&A (Individual) (10 minutes)
Report: Each student's individual contribution to the group assessment will be systematically evaluated and assessed, with consideration given to their specific tasks, responsibilities, and active engagement throughout the collaborative process.
Practicum: This secure assessment ensures accountability by observing the group’s system integration process in real time. Collaboration, technical implementation, and team problem-solving will be assessed, and unpredictable questions and live evaluation of reasoning and applied skills verifies individual understanding. Explicit evaluation of individual contributions further supports the secure assessment and assurance of each student’s achievement of learning outcomes.
Presentation: This secure assessment features a panel defence oral presentation about their system, followed by unpredictable structured Q&A to assess student understanding and critical reasoning.
Required reading
Required readings will be made available on VU Collaborate.
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):