42144 Advanced Programming and Use of Collaborative Robots
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 2 cp
Result type: Pass fail, no marks
Description
This subject is designed to extend students' knowledge of cobots, focusing on applying cobots to industry relevant tasks. Through this subject, students gain experience programming cobots to perform industry-relevant complex tasks and troubleshoot emergent challenges related to cobots. Students are able to integrate a cobot with peripheral equipment to form part of a larger system, and utilise end-of-arm-tooling to perform physical operations such as materials handing and palletising.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Program cobots to perform industry-relevant complex tasks and troubleshoot associated challenges. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Utilise end-of-arm-tooling to perform physical operations such as materials handing. (D.1) |
| 3. | Integrate a cobot with peripheral equipment to form part of a larger system. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject uses a combination of self-paced online content, interactive live sessions and in-person lab activities that are hands-on with cobots.
The online component focuses on learning the technical concepts that underpin the programming and application of cobots in an industrial context.
Concepts are presented using theory, case studies, videos and interactive practice activities. Learners will extend a basic knowledge of cobots to include industry relevant concepts such as how to identify and remedy common cobot programming challenges, and interfacing with peripheral equipment to perform more complex operations with cobots.
The in-person lab sessions will build on this understanding through hands-on practical activities with cobots. Learners will complete guided activities that involve programming the cobots, solving common programming issues, interfacing with hardware such as end-effectors and IO, and integrating peripherals together to perform complete operations that are industry relevant. Learners are supported by staff in the lab where immediate support and feedback is provided.
The assessments focus on completing the activities in the labs, with learners demonstrating their capability to utilise the cobots. The complexity of the lab activities increases through the course duration.
Content (topics)
The content of the microcredential is structured into 4 modules
1. Module 1: Cobot Programming and Problem Solving
- Motion planning
- Forward and Inverse Kinematics
- Programming best practices
- Problem solving
- IO and Logic
2. Module 2: Peripherals
- End-effectors
- Safety
- IO
- Vision
- Cobot and end-effector mounting
3. Module 3: Industrial Applications
- Common industry processes such as machine tending, palletising.
- Using vision
4. Module 4: Integration
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Lab 1: Programming and Problem Solving
| Intent: | Learners demonstrate their understanding of cobot programming, problem solving and dealing with cobot challenges such as collisions and kinematic singularity. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
Assessment task 2: Lab 2: Cobot Peripherals
| Intent: | Learners demonstrate ability to interface and utilise end-effectors, IO, and safety hardware. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
Assessment task 3: Lab 3: Industrial Processes
| Intent: | Extend the capabilities of cobots through machine vision, and perform advanced operations such as palletising. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
Assessment task 4: Lab 4: Integration
| Intent: | Solidify understanding of cobot programming, applied to perform a complex task. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
Minimum requirements
To pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
All required texts and content will be provided through UTS Canvas.
Recommended texts
All recommended texts and content will be provided through UTS Canvas.