Autonomous Machines

In the NEET Autonomous Machines (AM) thread, you will have the opportunity to design, build, and deploy mechanical systems, software, and autonomy algorithms for real-world autonomous machines and robots.

About AM

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.

AM Thread Requirements

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 are autonomous machines?

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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.

Elements (Disciplines) of Autonomous Machines

The development and utilization of an autonomous machine requires knowledge in several disciplines, such as mechanical/electrical hardware design, computer programming, sensory perception, algorithm development, and controls. Deployment of an autonomous machine typically involves all of these areas to properly design/manufacture the machine itself, to allow the machine to determine its location as well as the locations of objects in its environment, to allow the machine to create maps for navigation purposes, to allow the machine to develop a plan for manipulation and/or navigation, and to allow the machine to assess whether the intended goal/objective has been achieved.

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AM Project Classes

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
Junior Project
Senior Project
MIT NEET Autonomous Machines

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.

MIT NEET Autonomous Machines

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.

MIT NEET Autonomous Machines

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

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Dr. Gregory Long

Lecturer and Founding Lead Instructor, Autonomous Machines, NEET

MIT School of Engineering

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Professor Jonathan How

Founding Faculty Lead, Autonomous Machines, NEET
Associate Director, NEET

MIT School of Engineering

FAQ

  • Who is eligible for the Autonomous Machines thread?

    MIT rising sophomores who plan to major in courses 2-A/2, 6-2, and 16-ENG will find it easiest to fit our foundation and project classes in their academic schedules; however, students in other closely related majors are also welcome.

  • How many students are you planning to take?

    We usually cap our new enrollment at 40 new AM scholars per year.

  • Will I get a certificate?

    Yes, upon completing your SB degree at MIT, you will also obtain a NEET Certificate in Autonomous Machines from the School of Engineering.

  • What benefits may I expect from participating in the Autonomous Machines thread?

    By participating in the AM thread, you will progress through a series of projects with the focused intent of acquiring the knowledge and skills to design, program, and control a variety of autonomous and robotic devices. Your close association with like-minded MIT students and faculty in our thread will accelerate your progress and expose you to opportunities difficult to obtain elsewhere. 

  • Additional questions?

    Please reach out to Autonomous Machines Lead Lecturer Dr. Gregory Long to learn more.