In the NEET Autonomous Machines (AM) thread, you will design, build, and deploy mechanical systems, software, and autonomy algorithms for real-world autonomous machines and robots. Our program of study encompasses several project-based classes that help you develop your individual and group skills for working on the types of complex projects you will encounter in industrial settings. Along with our project-based classes, we will support your pursuit of undergraduate research in autonomy and robotics at MIT through MIT-UROP.
Students in the AM thread will gain hands-on experience through a series of projects with escalating complexity. Starting with individual projects involving small-scale software development for embedded microcontrollers, you will then move on to team-level design of perception and planning for automated quadrotors or mini race cars. Finally, throughout the course of your senior year, you will have the opportunity to build a real-world, complex robotic system similar to projects you will encounter in industry.
Students must complete the following requirements to obtain a NEET Autonomous Machines Certificate from the MIT School of Engineering.
Sophomore Year
Fall or IAP:
● 16.632A | Introduction to Autonomous Machines (6 units)
Spring (Choose ONE project class from the following):
● 16.632B | Introduction to Autonomous Machines II (6 units)● 2.S007 | Design & Manufacturing I: Autonomous Machines (12 units)● 2.007 | Design & Manufacturing I (with an autonomy requirement; 12 units)
Junior Year
Fall:
● 16.633 | NEET Junior Seminar: Autonomous Machines (3 units)
Spring (Choose ONE project class from the following):
● 2.124[J]/6.4200[J]/16.405[J] | Robotics: Science and Systems (12 units)● 2.12 | Introduction to Robotics (12 units)
Senior Year
Fall:
● 16.634 | NEET Senior Seminar: Autonomous Machines (6 units) or 16.081 when offered (12 units)
AND/OR (depending on scope and breadth of the project)
Spring:
● 16.634 | NEET Senior Seminar: Autonomous Machines (6 units) or 16.081 when offered (12 units)
Course 16.081 offered every 3 semesters.
Foundational Subjects
Intro to Programming (Choose ONE of the following):
● 6.100A | Introduction to Computer Science Programming in Python (6 units) + 6.100B | Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science (6 units)● 2.086 | Numerical Computation for Mechanical Engineers (12 units)● 6.1010 | Fundamentals of Programming (12 units)
Controls (Choose ONE of the following):
● 2.004 | Dynamics and Control II (12 units)● 6.3100 | Dynamical System Modeling and Control Design (12 units)● 16.06 | Principles of Automatic Control (12 units)
Suggested Subjects (Optional)
The following optional undergraduate level subjects provide more depth in autonomous machines/robotic systems:
● Robotics: 2.74, 6.4210● Artificial Intelligence: 6.4100, 6.4110, 6.4130/16.410● Machine Learning: 6.3900, 6.3950● Sensing/Computing: 6.1820, 6.9080● Computer Vision: 6.8301● Human-Computer Interaction: 6.4510, 2.78/6.4530● Algorithms: 6.1210, 6.1220
What Makes a Machine Autonomous
Throughout history, humans have developed a variety of hand tools, manually operated machines, automatic machinery, and now autonomous machines. Automatic machinery and autonomous machines are quite different, however. While both types of machines require little or no human intervention, an autonomous machine utilizes sensors (such as cameras to help identify objects) coupled with a decision-making controller to perform a wide variety of tasks. Hence, we find autonomous machines (in the form of robots) in our factories manufacturing/assembling goods, and we also find them as sub-systems within our automobiles, ships, aircraft, and spacecraft helping us to effectively navigate our highways, oceans, skies, and outer space.
We have a series of 12-unit project classes that AM scholars take throughout the three-year program. These classes provide you the foundation for mastering the fundamental aspects of autonomous machines and robotics: a) robust mechanical design, b) computer programming, and c) autonomy algorithms.
Sophomore Project
Spring (Choose ONE project class from the following):
● 16.632B | Introduction to Autonomous Machines II (6 units)● 2.S007 | Design & Manufacturing I: Autonomous Machines (12 units)● 2.007 | Design & Manufacturing I (with an autonomy requirement; 12 units)
For your sophomore project, you will focus on the fundamental aspects of autonomous control and robotics by designing, fabricating, and programming your own robot that navigates and manipulates objects on a themed game board. Both 16.632B and 2.S007 meet jointly and share the same themed game board designed to facilitate autonomous navigation/manipulation, whereas 2.007 has a separate themed game board, and you will need to propose a plan with the AM Lead Instructor to satisfy the autonomy requirement.
Junior Project
Spring (Choose ONE project class from the following):
● 2.124[J]/6.4200[J]/16.405[J] | Robotics: Science and Systems (12 units)● 2.12 | Introduction to Robotics (12 units)
For your junior project, you will have a choice of taking 2.124[J]/6.4200[J]/16.405[J] (Robotics: Science and Systems) which focuses on the concepts, principles, and algorithmic foundations for robotic and autonomous vehicles operating in the physical world, or 2.12 (Introduction to Robotics) which emphasizes acquiring a physical understanding of robot kinematics and dynamics, differential motion and energy method, design and control of robotic arms and mobile robots, and actuators, drives, and transmissions. While these two classes cover similar topics in the robotics domain, Robotics: Science and Systems typically has more content on computer algorithms, whereas Introduction to Robotics typically has more content on designing/constructing a robotic system from the ground up. Both classes involve a group project.
Senior Project
Fall and/or Spring (depending on the scope and breadth of the project):
● 16.634 | NEET Senior Seminar: Autonomous Machines (6 units)
For your senior project, you will focus on working through a specialized project that synthesizes all of your learning in robotics and autonomy here at MIT. This project must represent the next logical step in your personal development, where you work in groups of 2 to 5 students. You must present your proposed project to the AM Lead Instructor, detailing the intended outcome(s) with a description of how the project enhances your personal development in robotics and autonomous machines. Your proposed project can span either one or two semesters; hence, 16.634 may be taken in either the Fall and/or Spring term of your senior year at MIT.
AM Thread Leadership
Dr. Gregory Long
Lecturer and Founding Lead Instructor, Autonomous Machines, NEET
Professor Jonathan How
Founding Faculty Lead, Autonomous Machines, NEET
Associate Director, NEET
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