1. B.Sc in Robotics and Intelligent Devices (MH306)

2. Health trackers, Pacemakers, diagnostics, baby monitors (eg SIDS),
What is an “intelligent device” ?
Med tech
Health trackers, Pacemakers, diagnostics, baby monitors (eg SIDS),
Home systems
Smart ovens, adaptive heating, security systems, apps controlling music, TVs, kettles
Gizmos & Toys
Talking toys, robo-fish, phones, alarm clocks, projectors, anything with a battery

3. Human interactive systems, emotion, healthcare applications
What types of robots ?
Walkers
Human interactive systems, emotion, healthcare applications
Flyers
Highly mobile,
Sensor fusion
Control issues
Rollers
Unstructured environments, includes industrial robotics, home use, window cleaners, self-driving cars
Sailing
Water based systems, includes underwater, larger systems, shipping, offshore maintenance, security.

4. and not….
the heavy industrial robotic systems

5. and not….
the crazy killer robots

6. Programme Objectives We want our graduates to be able to
add intelligence to everyday objects
enable mobile devices to operate in an un-planned, changing environment
provide safe, friendly, easy interactions with humans
The application range includes
intelligent home systems (eg Nest, auto-cooking ovens)
wearable systems (health monitors, go-pro cameras)
industrial mobile robotics (warehouse deliveries)
home based robotics (home cleaning)
human interactive robotics (healthcare, meet & greet)

7. Educational Aspects
A 4-year programme, combining Computer Science and Electronic Engineering – software and hardware
Core areas:
strong programming skills (C,C++, Python, Java)
electronics and hardware design
merging software and hardware
intelligence, decision making, if-then-else..
human-machine interactions (fears, trust, cultural issues)
There will also be a heavy emphasis on projects. Each year students will build and use a variety of robots and technologies

8. Degree Structure
A 4 year programme leading to a B.Sc, blending Computer Science and Electronic Engineering with specialist modules on Robotics and Intelligence in each year
Electronic Engineering
Maths and Physics
Computer Science
Project
1st Year
Transfer to Electronic Engineering is possible after Year 1
Electronic Engineering
Computer Science
Project
2nd Year
Electronic Engineering
Computer Science
Work Placement
3rd Year
Electronic Engineering
Computer Science
Final Year Project
4th Year

9. Who would this suit? Students who are:
Interested in making things – combining electronics and programming
Students who like creating solutions, solving problems, inventing – especially those focussed on human helpers
Interested in how technology and people emotionally and physically interact
Candidates for the Technology section of the Young Scientist
Adventurous and curious
Students would benefit (not required):
Strong maths skills (beyond the HD3/OB3 requirement)
Physics
Interested in programming

10. Maths – what is really needed ?
The maths requirement is an OB3/HD3 (or equivalent in the new system).
Students will take 2 modules of engineering maths each year for 2 years.
This is maths for solving problems, like applied maths, not abstract mathematics. It makes it more accessible to students.
The important thing is for students to be NOT AFRAID of mathematics. We need mathematical literacy – an ability to understand things written in numbers, rather than solving complex equations (we have a bit of that too).
Most students can work their way through the maths aspects, but it is much easier if they are confident and have done the higher level maths programme.
Key topics are: statistics and probability (strand 1), geometry (strand 2), functions (strand 5)

11. Why Ireland, Why Now
A strong local industry interested in this broad area
Significant demand for graduates

12. Gaining Early Access to New Areas
Assisted Living in the home
Helping the elderly and the sick, home-help, medicines, cleaning. A huge problem with a globally aging population.
Prosthetics and Med Tech
Artificial Limbs, exoskeletons, embedded medical devices
Technology in our homes
Everything is getting smarter… connected to our phones, helping us do things faster and better.. smart

13. Gaining Early Access to New Areas
The Retail Sector
Automated retail outlets, robots as sales assistants. Fast food restaurants in the US, bank managers in Japan. The key is to be easy-to-engage, friendly, and helpful.
Making Deliveries
Doing the heavy lifting in factories and deliveries by land and air. Already in use today by Intel, Amazon, HP. Challenge is to moving around people, safely and rapidly
Self-Driving Vehicles
Auto-parking cars, driverless cars, understanding how they perceive their world and make decisions.

14. Jobs and more jobs…
Graduates will be have both computer science and electronic engineering and get jobs in both areas.
The intelligent devices is really hardware and electronics mash up and is the heart of the electronic engineering industry. It is more mature and bigger. Several new job announcements (UTRC) in this area in recent weeks.
The robotics sector is smaller and growing…

15. Embedded Systems – in demand
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16. Robotics – small but growing
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17. Summary A new combination of electronics and software
Exciting career opportunities in non-traditional areas,
Could suit people who think “tech” is boring and cold – this area will change the world we live in
Strong, in-demand, well-paid career opportunities – in Ireland and globally