CS 294-5: Algorithmic Foundations of Robotics

Fall 1997 Class Schedule

Moday, 1 - 4 pm
405 Soda Hall

August 25 Introduction
Class Overview: topics, papers
Paper Presentation:
Upper and Lower Bounds for Programmable Vector Fields with Applications to {MEMS} and Vibratory Plate Parts Feeders (K.-F. Böhringer, B. R. Donald, and N. C. MacDonald).
Assignment: Read Latombe Robot Motion Planning Chapter 1. Read Brost, Goldberg A Complete Algorithm for Synthesizing Modular Fixtures for Polygonal Parts. Look at today's paper again.
September 1 Labor Day (no class)
September 8 Lecture:
Introduction to Robotics: Workspace, free space, obstacle, path planning, configuration space, c-space obstacle, errors, uncertainty.
Paper Discussion: Automatic Synthesis of Fine-Motion Strategies for Robots (Lozano-Pérez, Mason, Taylor).
Assignment: Read Lavalle et al. Finding an Unpredictable Target in a Workspace with Obstacles. Look at textbook. Choose a paper for class presentation and think about a research project.
September 15 Lecture:
Path planning, roadmap methods, visibility graphs, Voronoi diagrams, fast polygon intersection, sweep line algorithm. Grasping, force and form closure, conditions for grasps, grasp synthesis.
Assignment: Read Goldwasser and Motwani Complexity Measures for Assembly Sequences. Look at textbook. Choose a paper for class presentation if you have not done so, and write a short paragraph on a research project you would like to do.
September 22 Paper Presentation: 
Brost and Goldberg A Complete Algorithm for Synthesizing Modular Fixtures for Polygonal Parts. Presented by Ken Goldberg and Karl Böhringer.
Assignment: Read Lynch and Mason Stable Pushing: Mechanics, Controllability, and Planning. Akella, Huang, Lynch, Mason Sensorless Parts Feeding with a One Joint Robot. Look at textbook (part II).
September 29 Paper Presentation: 
Lynch and Mason Stable Pushing: Mechanics, Controllability, and Planning . Presented by Dadi Gudmundsson.
Assignment: Read Mirtich and Canny Impulse-based Dynamic Simulation, Halperin and Sharir Arrangements and Their Applications in Robotics: Recent Developments.
October 6 Paper Presentation: 
Lynch and Mason Stable Pushing: Mechanics, Controllability, and Planning (Part II). Presented by Dadi Gudmundsson. Includes an introduction to Lie Algebras.
Assignment: Read Mirtich and Canny Impulse-based Dynamic Simulation, Halperin and Sharir Arrangements and Their Applications in Robotics: Recent Developments. Prepare a one-page summary of your class project.
October 13 Special Guest Lectures:
  • Danny Halperin, Dept. of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University On the Bisectors of a Polygon.
  • Mark Overmars, Dept. of Computer Science, Utrecht University On Fixture Design.
October 20 Paper Presentation: 
Mirtich and Canny Impulse-based Dynamic Simulation, Halperin and Sharir Arrangements and Their Applications in Robotics: Recent Developments. Presented by David Parks.
Assignment: Read Murray and Sastry Nonholonomic Motion Planning: Steering Using Sinusoids.
October 27 Paper Presentation: 
Murray, Sastry Nonholonomic Motion Planning: Steering Using Sinusoids. Presented by Dan Reznik.
Assignment: Read Langier, Bard, Cherif, Joukhadar Solving Complex Motion Planning Problems by Combining Geometric and Physical Models: The Case of a Rover and of a Dexterous Hand.
Prepare a short update (one page minimum) on your class project to be presented on November 10.
November 3 Paper Presentation: 
Langier, Bard, Cherif, Joukhadar Solving Complex Motion Planning Problems by Combining Geometric and Physical Models: The Case of a Rover and of a Dexterous Hand. Presented by Darin Fisher.
Assignment: Read Latombe, Wilson, Cazals Assembly Sequencing with Toleranced Parts.
Prepare a short update (one page minimum) on your class project.
November 10 Short updates on class projects (10 min each).
Paper Presentation: 
Latombe, Wilson, Cazals Assembly Sequencing with Toleranced Parts. Presented by Jingliang Chen.
Assignment: Read Lavalle, Lin, Guibas, Latombe Finding an Unpredictable Target in a Workspace with Obstacles and Moradi, Goldberg, Lee, Wilson Geometry-Based Part Grouping for Assembly Planning.
November 17 Paper Presentation: 
Lavalle, Lin, Guibas, Latombe Finding an Unpredictable Target in a Workspace with Obstacles, and Moradi, Goldberg, Lee, Wilson Geometry-Based Part Grouping for Assembly Planning. Presented by Joe Lynch.
November 24 Special Presentation: 
Wolfgang Zesch Manipulation of Microscopic Objects with Nanometer Precision
Research Project Presentations:
- Dan Reznik Vibrations-Based Part Manipulation in the Plane with Sinusoidal Controls
- Jingliang Chen Fence Feeding with Toleranced Parts
December 1 Research Project Presentations:
- Joe Lynch Advances in Assembly Grouping
- Darin Fisher Potential Field Methods with Moving Obstacles
December 8 Encore Class - Research Project Presentations:
- David Parks Control and Path Planning for Elastic Bodies
- Dadi Gudmundsson Estimating and Optimizing Throughput of a Flexible Feeder
Project reports due: 6-page 2-column conference-style paper.

For more information contact
goldberg@ieor.berkeley.edu, 643-9565 or karl@ieor.berkeley.edu, 642-4559
http://alpha.ieor.berkeley.edu/cs294