Module: Mobile Robotics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Mobile Robotics
Module Code	EEN1025 (ITS: EE303)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Electronic Engineering
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to expose students to the practical engineering tools and techniques involved in developing a complete, functional, microprocessor-based system or product. This is achieved via a challenge-based, team-based module, in which each team must design, construct, demonstrate and document a microprocessor-based mobile robot that navigates a variable path and avoids obstacles.

Learning Outcomes

1. Work as a member of a small team to complete a joint mobile robotics challenge involving path navigation and obstacle avoidance
2. Plan and manage the mobile robotics project, effectively communicating its progress through presentations and appropriately versioned documentation.
3. Design and construct a suitable hardware configuration, including mechanics, sensors, actuators, hardware interfaces and the embedded microprocessor system.
4. Design and code all required control software.
5. Integrate, test and debug all components to yield a functional mobile robot.
6. Create an agreed-upon, joint, technical report for the project along with individual reflection and appropriate evidence.
7. Demonstrate awareness of the strengths and areas for development that one brings to a team.
8. Recognise and value the strengths that each individual brings to a team.
9. Fulfil one's task responsibilities within a team.
10. Demonstrate collaborative communication in a team environment.
11. Effectively engage with challenges that may emerge within a team.
12. Demonstrate awareness of one's communication abilities, including areas for development.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	6	Weekly tutorial to outline technical challenges, tips and requirements.
Laboratory	54	Tutor-facilitated Laboratory sessions.
Assignment Completion	45	Further technical work and presentation preparations
Class Presentation	3	Competition
Assignment Completion	20	Reflection, reporting and team management.
Total Workload: 128

Section Breakdown
CRN	20708	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jennifer Bruton	Module Teacher	Kevin Mcguinness, Noel E O'Connor

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Individual Presentation of Project Progress in one of the first 5 weeks.	7%	n/a
Practical/skills evaluation	Demonstration of weekly technical objective.	8%	n/a
Report(s)	Documentation of Planning & Team Management.	15%	Week 12
Group presentation	Elevator pitch and group presentation of progress and innovation(s).	10%	Week 5
Practical/skills evaluation	Mobile Robot Competition and demonstration of innovation(s) in action.	20%	Week 6
Reflective journal	Individual reflective learning.	5%	Week 12
Report(s)	Final group report with accompanying documentation and evidence.	35%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

System Analysis and Design
Decomposition into Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic and Software subsystems.

Software Prototyping
Assembly, compilation, linkage, interpretation; cross-development; debug tools and techniques

Sensors
Hardware and software interfacing; proximity detectors; microswitches; shaft encoders battery level detection.

Motors
DC motor characteristics; hardware and software interfacing;

System Integration
Module level test; integration test and debug.

Documentation
Types, organisation and objectives of documentation; specification and implementation; graphical techniques; computer aided tools.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Richard C. Dorf,Robert H. Bishop: 0, Modern Control Systems, 5, 13, 9780131383104
Jan Jantzen: 2013, Foundations of Fuzzy Control, John Wiley & Sons, 0, 9781118506226

Articles:

0: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/561451, 523017, 2
https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics13010012: 523018, 2, 0,
523019: 2, 0,
2: 0, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2019.04.011
0: http://dx.doi.org/10.15406/iratj.2017.02.00023,

Other Resources

None