Real World Robotics

Course Description

This course guides RSC students through an entire robotic design process. Students will work in teams on a real-world robotics challenge: building an articulated robotic hand and programming a robust controller with reinforcement learning. The course covers high-level system design, robot simulation, fabrication, control, and testing. Students will learn the key theoretical concepts, develop hard- and software engineering skills and gain practical engineering experience by building their own unique designs! Prerequisites assume introductive courses for robot dynamics and control. You will learn everything else on the way! This class is only available during the autumn semester.

Time and Location

Mon 23 Sep - Mon 16 Dec, 2024

Pre-recorded, evening: Tutorial, website
14:00 - 15:00: Focus Talk & Q&A, CLA E 4
15:00 - 16:00: Workshop, CLA E 32.2

Course Schedule

Lectures will occur during the Autumn Semester 2024 .
New tutorial, slides, and lectures will be open-sourced every week starting 23rd September!

: Tutorial

: Focus and Q&A Talk

: Workshop

: Check-Up

The Challenge

Unit 00

23 Sept., 2024

[Slides] [Video]

Project Management

Unit 01

23 Sept., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)]

Design and Fabrication for Robots

Unit 02

30 Nov., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)] [Video]

Simulating Robots and Soft Interaction with the World

Unit 03

07 Oct., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)] [Video]

Identifying Kinematics and Dynamics of Robots

Unit 04

14 Oct., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)] [Video]

Implementing Control Strategies for Manipulation

Unit 05

21 Oct., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)] [Video]

Hardware Check-Up and Q&A

Check 01

28 Oct., 2024

Teleoperation using Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Unit 06

04 Nov., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)] [Video]

Imitation Learning

Unit 07

11 Nov., 2024

[Slides (FT)] [Slides (W)] [Video]

Software Check-Up, Q&A and Workshop

Check 02

18 Nov., 2024

Guest Lecture: Computer Vision and Robotic Manipulation

Unit 08

25 Nov., 2024

Bringing Robots to the World and Project Check-Up

Unit 09

02 Dec., 2024

Presentation and Hardware Showcase

The Challenge I

09 Dec., 2024

[Info]

Teleoperation and Autonomy Showcase

The Challenge II

16 Dec., 2024

[Info]

Frequently Asked Questions

To whom is this course addressed?

Everyone from Robotics, Systems and Control is allowed to register!

The spots available are 40 at the most.
If you are in the waiting list, Click here for instructions

What is the grading policy?

RWR is offered as a 4 units course and graded on the final Project, the weekly Moodle Quiz and your physical attendance. Each week a tutorial and a Moodle Quiz are handed out. Students are supposed to answer the questions before the next Focus Talk. The Final Challenge will be split in many parts: Presentation, Report, Hardware and Software Showcase.

I'm in the waiting list, what now?

If you are an ETH student in the waiting list, you can attend the first workshops and wait. If new spots will be available you will be able to register.

What pre-requisites are required?

We are expecting elementary knowledge of linear algebra and calculus. An understainding of Control Systems and Robot Dynamics is required too
There are no prerequisites concerning Machine Learning but having some basics is a plus.

What is the schedule of the class?

Each week has its own structure. If there is a tutorial planned, it will be uploaded the monday before the respective Focus Talk. Students should watch the tutorial before the class (we suggest to it together with the group) and answer the quiz on Moodle.

How can I register for this course?

If you are an ETH student please register on myStudies. You can do this by logging in. Go to "functions" and then to "Course Registration". Click on "Add learning units" and look for "Real-World Robotics".

Are the course materials open-source?

All course materials are available online but are copyrighted and licensed under the ETH license. If you are an instructor and would like to use any materials from this course (slides, labs, code), you must add the following reference to each slide:

© Robert Katzschmann
ETH: Real-World Robotics
https://rwr.ethz.ch

Is physical attendance mandatory?

Attending the workshops and the Q&A is a critical part of the learning process for this course. We will register your attendance since it will be considered for the final grade. If you are sick or are unable to attend contact the TA to get an exemption.

RWR Team

Prof. Katzschmann

Lead Organizer

Dr. Xi Wang

Guest Lecturer

Robert Jomar Malate

Lead TA

TAs and Staff

Ronan Hinchet

Senior Scientist & Post Doc @ SRL

Yasunori Toshimitsu

PhD @ SRL

Gavin Cangan

PhD @ SRL

Thomas Buchner

PhD @ SRL

Davide Liconti

PhD @ SRL

Chenyu Yang

PhD @ SRL

Course Description

Time and Location

Mon 23 Sep - Mon 16 Dec, 2024

Course Schedule

Lectures will occur during the Autumn Semester 2024 . New tutorial, slides, and lectures will be open-sourced every week starting 23rd September!

: Tutorial

: Focus and Q&A Talk

: Workshop

: Check-Up

The Challenge

Unit 00

Project Management

Unit 01

Design and Fabrication for Robots

Unit 02

Simulating Robots and Soft Interaction with the World

Unit 03

Identifying Kinematics and Dynamics of Robots

Unit 04

Implementing Control Strategies for Manipulation

Unit 05

Hardware Check-Up and Q&A

Check 01

Teleoperation using Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Unit 06

Imitation Learning

Unit 07

Software Check-Up, Q&A and Workshop

Check 02

Guest Lecture: Computer Vision and Robotic Manipulation

Unit 08

Bringing Robots to the World and Project Check-Up

Unit 09

Presentation and Hardware Showcase

The Challenge I

Teleoperation and Autonomy Showcase

The Challenge II

Frequently Asked Questions

To whom is this course addressed?

What is the grading policy?

I'm in the waiting list, what now?

What pre-requisites are required?

What is the schedule of the class?

How can I register for this course?

Are the course materials open-source?

Is physical attendance mandatory?

What programming language is required?

Can we access the Workshop room outside the teaching hours?

Is the material for the robots provided?

RWR Team

TAs and Staff

We are always accepting new applications to join the course staff. If you are interested in becoming a TA, please contact rwr@srl.ethz.ch

Sponsors

We are looking for amazing sponsors to support us deliver premium teaching! If you would like to be involved in the program please contact us at rwr@srl.ethz.ch

About the Organizers

Lectures and Labs

Social Media

Lectures will occur during the Autumn Semester 2024 .
New tutorial, slides, and lectures will be open-sourced every week starting 23rd September!