Robotics and Dynamics

Robotics and Dynamics is a core theme in Mechanical Engineering (and also extends to Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science), dealing directly with the engineering behind automation in manufacturing, assembly, logistics, autonomous vehicles and robots developed for varied purposes, size scales and environments (land, sea, air or space). Robotics involves designing, building, and programming mechanical machines to perform tasks using arms, links, wheels, legs, tracks with sensors and cameras, often informing the task and controlling the end effectors, tooling or actuators. Dynamics is the study of motion itself, defining how things move and what forces affect that motion. In the context of robotics, dynamics predicts and more importantly, permits control of how the robot will react to applied movement via motors and react to factors as gravity, friction and functional loading on the robot, as well as considering the materials used within the robot structure. This is essential for creating robots that move smoothly, accurately, repetitively, safely and efficiently.  At times, this involves allowing the robot (through advanced control system software and algorithms) the autonomy to adjust its own control signals depending on changing load cases or live vision or sensors, e.g. handling of packages of varied or unknown sizes and weights. 

People

Research Groups

ASMME (Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing and Materials Engineering)