MECHENG 706 : Mechatronics Design Projects

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A range of projects that demonstrate the application and integration of engineering knowledge to create practical intelligent devices, machines and systems. AI based control techniques will be introduced.

Course Overview

This is a required course for BE(Hons) Mechatronics programme. It builds upon an understanding and hands-on experience of sensing, actuating and control systems from the prerequisite courses. It includes the following key topics and project activities.
* Mechatronics Design and Integration 
* Mobile Robotic Kinematics
* Applied Kalman Filters
* Advanced Kalman Filters and SLAM
* Spatial Transformations 
* Fuzzy Logic Control
* Behaviors Control
* Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning
* Design Project 1 (in group of 4, 2 design sessions of 2 hrs per week, for 6 weeks)
* Design Project 2 (in group of 4, 2 design sessions of 2 hrs per week, for 6 weeks)

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MECHENG 306, 313, 370

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop skills in the effective use of sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, closed-loop control and real-time software for mechatronics design. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  2. Comprehend in-depth aspects of mechatronics design including intelligent control and artificial intelligence. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  3. Develop the ability to work both individually and as part of a team. (Capability 7.1)
  4. Develop hands-on skills for the mechatronic design and integration. (Capability 3.2, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
  5. Apply agile project management technique and the knowledge of societal, health, financial issues in solutions to complex problems (Capability 1.1, 6.1 and 7.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Project 1 SLAM Robotics 35% Group & Individual Coursework
Project 2 Behavior Robotics 35% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 30% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Project 1 SLAM Robotics
Project 2 Behavior Robotics
Final Exam
Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS result will be returned.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, 4 hours of design lab sessions and 4 hours of reading and thinking about the design project per week for 12 weeks.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Lecture notes will be posted available at Canvas.
Data sheets of key components for the design projects will be posted at Canvas.
Some sample codes will be posted at Canvas.
Sample project reports (Table of Contents) will be posted at Canvas.

Health & Safety

H&S induction will be conducted during the first lab session.
Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

 In 2024 more spare sensors and other key parts will be stocked so that if a part is faulty, it can get replaced immediately.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 28/11/2023 09:35 a.m.