Robotics Engineering Minor

To earn a Robotics Engineering minor at LSU, one must complete programming and math classes, introduction to Robotics course, a robotics specialization course, and three technical elective classes. Here is an overview of the courses I have taken to earn my robotics minor and various projects I have completed. My robotics GPA is 3.15.

Robotics Classes

ENGR 4100 - Industrial Robotics

Industrial Robotics goes over common types and uses of robotic manipulators, how to control robot manipulators, how to generate tool paths and robot joint trajectories. More specifically we learned how to do forward and inverse kinematics and how to calculate the Jacobean. Click on the buttons to see homework assignments completed for this class that show my ability to solve forward and inverse kinematics with the help of Matlab. We ran different exercise using Quanser Omni Bundle and Simulink.

Solving an Inverse Kinematics Problem

Quanser Omni Bundle Exercise

ENGR 4103 - Assistive Robotics

Assistive Robotics goes over the history of assistive and medical robots and different considerations when designing assistive, wearable, and medical robots. We learned about how to use mordern technology to assist humans safely and ethically. We applied this knowledge through different laboratory experiments and designing a final project to assist someone. We used Matlab and OpenSim software to run different simulations. For our final project, my team designed an end effector to open help a bracelet clasp so that the user would be able to put on a bracelet with out the aid of another person. By attaching the end effector to a UR5 robotic arm, we were able to open the bracelet clasp and then use the free hand to place hoop into the clasp.

ENGR 3100 - Introduction to Robotics

Intro to Robotics goes over robotics basics through lecture and laboratory exercises. The course goes over sensors and DAQ, robotic actuators, mobility mechanisms, robot motion control, robot communications, behavioral control, navigation and mapping, robot coordination, and human-robot interaction. Labratory exercises used ActivityBots, Turtlebots, and OmniBot. We briefly learned C++, Python, and ROS software to be able to complete different activities. For a final project, I worked with a team to program a robot who would follow a specific person. After much trial and error, we decided to program the robot to follow a specific shade of red and then we had someone wear a pair of red shoes for it to follow.

ActivityBot used to teach mobility of robot

TurtleBot following red shoes and not following anyone else.

Robotics Technical Electives

BE 4323 - Biomechanics for Engineers

In biomechanics we learned how to apply statics, dynamics, and mechanics to biological systems. We learned about biomedical applications in research, biotechnology and the medical field. In the lab component of this course we looked at EMG signals and learned how to use EMG signals to analyze muscle movement and how they can be used in medical applications. We also analyzed different gaits using a force foot plate. I compared normal walking gait and a cart wheel. We also analysed the force foot plate data of someone doing a high jump.

EMG Lab measuring muscle activation in the flexor muscle

Cartwheel during force foot plate Lab

IE 4466 - Human and Computer Interaction

Human and Computer Interactions is an industrial engineering class that goes over how to design systems with the user in mind. We learned how to collect data ethically and how to analyze and interpret the data. We learned about Hook’s Model to design a product which causes users to habitually use the product. Assignment #1 asked us to analyze a system that we have previously used that was not designed using interaction design in mind and I used my previous experience at Rise of the Resistance. Assignment #6 uses Hook’s Model to understand how an app causes us to habitually use the app and I discussed the social media app BeReal. Assignment #7 asked us to use a program called Balsamiq Wireframes to design an app to pay to park on campus.

ME 4183 - Theory and Design of Mechanical Control Systems

In ME 4183 we learned about control systems and how to design a control system using different feedback loops. We learned how to determine if a system is stable and how to calculate steady state errors. We learned about time responses and frequency-domain responses. And we went over PID controller design. We learned how to solve problems by hand and how to use Matlab to help solve our problems. This course is also required for my Mechanical Engineering degree.