Robotics and Automation, Specialization Project

This is a specialization project for students studying Mechanical Engineering or Engineering and ICT.

The student will perform an independent technical and scientific study of a specific topic under the supervision of a professor or associate professor.

Topics vary from year to year. Suggested topics for this specialization project are announced around Easter; students are also allowed to suggest their own topics, but if so are responsible for finding a supervisor.

Topics fall under several categories; the following list is not exhaustive:

• Resilient robotic systems able to perform autonomous Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) operations in diverse and highly dynamic environments with applications across many industries (e.g., oil and gas, offshore platforms, wind turbines, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, manufacturing, and the energy sector).
• Advanced perception, reliable state estimation, precise localization and mapping, agile autonomous navigation and exploration, robust control and in general robust field autonomy for mobile robots for applications both on land and underwater.
• Machine learning for vision-based robot imitation learning.
• Computer vision for robotics and automation, such as obstacle detection and pose estimation.
• Neural networks and kernel methods for estimation of system dynamics based on physical properties.
• Mechatronics, with a focus on designing, building and testing novel devices to solve real-world problems, such as mechanized mobility devices, search and rescue robots, and food production.
• Automation of industrial processes, with a focus on subsea oil and gas production and processing. This may include modeling, simulation and control of devices such as separators or compressors; or control of larger systems such as entire oil fields or gas transport networks.
• Automation and robotification of farming (traditional and vertical).
• Automation of surface vessels, such as energy-optimal auto-docking

In combination with the project and with the approval of the supervisor, the student must also take a specialization course that fits with their chosen topic.

Knowledge:

The student can demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and insight into a specific subject within the field of robotics and automation by being able to explain and use the underlying theoretical concepts and techniques.

Skills:

The student is able to perform an independent, guided scientific work, within a topic of robotics and automation. The work can be theoretical or applied.

Competence:

The student will be able to perform a large, independent project, including creating a project plan with milestones. The student is able to find and use relevant literature. The student is able to write a scientific report.

Independent project work with guidance and advice culminating in a report detailing the work and its findings.The course contains several lectures taught in English.The report can be written in English or Norwegian.

Incoming exchange students who want to write a project report at MTP can contact studier@mtp.ntnu.no to receive the MTP agreement. The agreement must be signed by all parties before the student arrives in Trondheim.