Computer Science 444: Embedded / Robotic Programming

Unit 12: Learning and Robots

Learning is a concept that is not historically coupled with robots, but more and more robot research is focussed on robotic learning. Reinforcement, supervision, imitation, and forgetting are all current topics in robot learning.

Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you should be able to

• discuss various concepts in robot learning including reinforcement, supervision, imitation, and forgetting.

Readings

Please read the following chapters in the textbook:

• Things Keep Getting Better (Chapter 21)

Questions to Ponder

At the end of each chapter in the assigned readings there are questions labelled “Food for Thought”. Please answer these questions as best you can in your weblog, which will become part of your portfolio of competence submitted for marking during this course.

Exercises

Exercises for this unit can be found in the Instructor’s Weblog on the Landing. Please follow along with the exercises and programs using your own Arduino kit, and keep a record of your explorations in your own weblog.

Further Readings

At the end of each chapter in the assigned readings you will find a section titled “Looking for More.” While the links and readings mentioned in this section are not assigned, please feel free to examine them if you are interested, or ask questions on the Landing.