Robotics (ROBO)

This course introduces the principles and practices of human-centered robotic design across creative, service, and industrial contexts. Students examine how applications, behaviors, and social dynamics influence interactions between people and robotic systems, with a focus on designing experiences that foster trust, usability, and emotional connection. Through the study of physical form, movement, and interaction, students develop their foundational design concepts and a shared vocabulary necessary for evaluating and creating human-centered robotic experiences.

This course examines the social, ethical, and civic implications of automation and autonomous systems in contemporary society. Students analyze the impact of emerging technologies on communities, institutions, and everyday life while exploring issues of accountability, equity, and access. Through critical inquiry and speculative design approaches, students develop informed perspectives on responsible innovation and ethical decision-making in robotics and related fields.

Simulated environments are effective tools for designing, testing, training, and evaluating robotic systems in controlled environments. By placing robotic agents into virtual environments, students explore iterative approaches to behavior development and performance assessment. Through experimentation and observation, students apply digital development skills to simulation-based design and analysis.

This course explores the principles of sensing, motion, and responsiveness in robotic systems. Students apply foundational concepts in sensing technologies, motor control, and kinetic design to create robotic mechanisms that interact with their environments. Through the integration of physical and computational components, students develop technical fluency and evaluate design decisions using appropriate tools and methods. Students will design and shape prototypes into reliable, expressive, and functional robotic systems.

This course focuses on the design of responsive robotic behaviors that adapt to changing environmental conditions. Students investigate behavior systems, motion design, and generative approaches that contribute to the perception of intention, awareness, and character. By developing and evaluating adaptive behaviors, students strengthen their understanding of how intelligent systems communicate through movement and interaction, encouraging students to connect technical design strategies to expressive and believable robotic performance.

This course examines advanced simulation methodologies and the development of digital representations of robotic systems. Students create simulation workflows that support testing, evaluation, and refinement under a range of operating conditions. Through large-scale experimentation and performance analysis, students apply strategies for improving reliability and system effectiveness for the development and deployment of robotic systems.

This studio course explores the integration of physical design, contextual awareness, and expressive behavior in robotic character development. Students collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to create robotic-character prototypes that synthesize technical, creative, and ethical considerations. Through iterative design, testing, and refinement, students develop professional practices for producing cohesive robotic experiences. Repeatable for up to fifteen credit hours, the course builds the integrative skills required for advanced studio and capstone work.

This studio course introduces the planning and development process for a major robotic-character project. Students form collaborative teams, establish project goals, and define the creative and technical requirements that guide development. Through research, concept generation, and project planning, students create proposals and production frameworks that support successful project execution.

This studio course focuses on the development and refinement of robotic-character prototypes. Students integrate physical systems, intelligent behaviors, and expressive design elements into functional prototypes that align with established project goals. Through testing, evaluation, and iterative revision, students assess performance and address technical and creative challenges.

This studio course emphasizes the completion, refinement, and presentation of a robotic-character capstone project. Students finalize production, enhance system performance, and prepare their work for public and professional audiences. Through documentation and presentation, students create portfolio materials that demonstrate technical expertise, creative achievement, and professional readiness.

Internships offer students valuable opportunities to work in a professional environment and gain firsthand experience to help them prepare for careers. In an approved internship setting, a student typically spends one quarter working with an on-site professional supervisor and a faculty internship supervisor to achieve specific goals and objectives related to the program of study.