M.Tech in Robotics
Semester-wise syllabus for an M.Tech in Robotics
Semester 1: Core Foundations
Courses:
1. Robotics Mechanics and Kinematics
- Rigid body motion, forward/inverse kinematics, Jacobians, and trajectory planning.
2. Robot Dynamics and Control
- Lagrangian mechanics, PID control, state-space control, and torque-based control.
3. Sensors and Actuators in Robotics
- IMUs, LiDAR, encoders, stepper/servo motors, and pneumatic systems.
4. Artificial Intelligence for Robotics
- Path planning (A*, RRT), SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and reinforcement learning.
5. Research Methodology
- Technical writing, data analysis (Python/MATLAB), and experimental design.
Labs:
- Robotics Simulation Lab (ROS, Gazebo, Webots)
- Embedded Systems Lab (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and motor control)
Semester 2: Specialization & Electives
Core Courses:
1. Computer Vision for Robotics
- Feature detection, object recognition, OpenCV, and deep learning (CNN, YOLO).
2. Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
- Gesture recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and ethical considerations.
Electives (Examples):
- Autonomous Vehicles (perception, control, and sensor fusion)
- Medical Robotics (surgical robots, prosthetics, and exoskeletons)
- Industrial Robotics (PLC programming, collaborative robots/Cobots)
- Soft Robotics (materials, bio-inspired design, and compliant mechanisms)
- Swarm Robotics (multi-agent systems, consensus algorithms)
Labs:
- Computer Vision Lab (OpenCV, PyTorch/TensorFlow)
- Industrial Robotics Lab (UR5, ABB, or Fanuc robot programming)
Semester 3:
Advanced Electives & Project Work
Electives (Examples):
- AI/ML in Robotics (deep reinforcement learning, imitation learning)
- Robotics in Space Exploration (rover design, orbital mechanics)
- Bio-inspired Robotics (hexapods, drone swarms, underwater robots)
- Robot Operating System (ROS) Advanced (ROS 2, navigation stack, MoveIt)
- Ethics and Safety in Robotics (AI ethics, fail-safe mechanisms)
Project/Dissertation:
- Phase 1: Topic selection (e.g., autonomous drone navigation, robotic arm control, AI-driven HRI), literature review, and proposal.
- Seminars: Presentations on trends like edge AI for robots, quantum robotics, or ethical AI frameworks.
Semester 4: Thesis/Project Completion
Thesis/Project:
- Full-time focus on hardware/software integration (e.g., building a robotic prototype, deploying AI models on edge devices).
- Final documentation, viva voce defense, and potential collaboration with industries/research labs.
Additional Components:
- Industrial Internship (optional, with robotics firms like Boston Dynamics, ABB, or startups).
- Workshops: Training in tools like SolidWorks (CAD), V-REP/CoppeliaSim, or ROS 2.
Elective Tracks (Specializations):
1. Autonomous Systems
- Self-driving cars, drones, and AI-based navigation.
2. Medical Robotics
- Surgical automation, rehabilitation robotics, and nanorobotics.
3. Industrial Automation
- Collaborative robots, digital twins, and Industry 4.0 integration.
4. AI-Driven Robotics
- Reinforcement learning, neural networks for perception/control.