Syllabus: Creative Soft Robotics¶
IDeATe Special Topics: Creative Soft Robotics16-480 IDeATe: Special Topics: Creative Robotics53-399 IDeATe: Special TopicsMW 9:10-11:00AMClass meetings: https://cmu.zoom.us/j/92952830267Lab: Hunt Library A5 (IDeATe Fab Lab)IDeATe Collaborative CourseIDeATe Programs: Soft Technologies, Physical ComputingPrerequisites: none
Contents
Course Description¶
Soft robotics is an emerging discipline centered on actuated devices constructed from compliant materials. In this course, students will survey the state of this emerging research then design and fabricate experimental soft systems and kinetic sculptures. Students will be guided through literature search and technical paper analysis to identify opportunities and techniques. The textual study spans contemporary robotics and arts literature. The project component will be research-focused and attempt novel fabrication and design techniques. It will center on fabricating kinetic sculptures with actuators and sensors using silicone rubber cast into 3D-printed and laser-cut molds. The project sequence will culminate in the collaborative design of soft robotic systems which match technical innovation with a human need or artistic expression.
This course is designated “IDeATe: Special Topics” to indicate it is a new or one-time collaborative course on a particular theme. It will satisfy minor requirements for IDeATe Soft Technologies or IDeATe Physical Computing.
Prerequisites and Enrollment
This course has no formal prerequisites, but students are expected to have senior-level technical skills within their own discipline. If you have any questions concerning prerequisites please contact the instructor. Total enrollment is limited to 12 students, drawn from all departments.
Detailed Description¶
This experimental seminar brings art and engineering together to explore robots and animate art made from soft materials. The work includes two main tracks: literature study and practical experiments. Students will research, read, present, and critique papers in the emerging field of soft robotics. Together we will identify and review kinetic art projects created on similar themes.
The experimental portion evolves from our literature study, with the aim of identifying techniques to replicate or extend toward creative goals. The objective is development of technique for creative sculptural expression using the methods of soft robotics. The final results will be collected into a final exhibition as works in progress.
This is a collaborative course exploring interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of art and robotics. This exploration is the key aim of IDeATe: we are developing practitioners who can effectively utilize their expert domain knowledge in collaboration with other disciplines. This involves developing both rigorous individual expertise as well as skill with negotiating the vocabularies of other domains. Students will be expected to learn skills from outside their home discipline and teach their own expertise, but more importantly, to develop their abilities to collaborate in diverse groups.
Learning Objectives¶
Upon completion of this course the students will be able to:
Identify major research areas with the emerging discipline of Soft Robotics.
Read and critique academic papers.
Search citation indices to discover academic literature.
Present academic papers and lead discussion.
Identify and critique kinetic art incorporating biomimetic and soft materials.
Collaborate in teams to generate, create, evaluate, and document ideas and projects.
Design molds for casting silicone rubber using 3D-printing and laser-cutting.
Design compliant devices incorporating fluidic actuation, tendon actuation, fluidic sensing, or conventional sensor elements.
Contribute productively to a discussion and critique environment with open responses, constructive criticism, and positive feedback.
Document and reflect upon processes and finished assignments.
It also incorporates the general goals of IDeATe to develop hybrid students with integrated knowledge in technology and arts. This stresses the following general skills:
algorithmic and analytic thinking
end-to-end execution of project concepts
communication through writing, drawing, and speaking
professional preparation
Grading Rubric¶
Everybody is assumed to start with an A in the course. If you do the work you will keep it, but failing to fulfill the expectations will cause you to drift downward. The total grade in the course will be weighted approximately 50% for exercises and projects and 50% for research, discussion, and classroom participation.
Please note also that much of the feedback on your work will come in the form of critique and commentary rather than numerical scores. Please attend to this; the commentary will be a much more substantive guide to your personal learning process than the scoring.
Each project will also include a peer evaluation component. The purpose of this element is to identify the specific contributions of each group member to the project outcome. Individual scores for a project may vary from the group score based on peer reports and instructor observations.
General Course Policies¶
Attendance¶
Coming to class on time is mandatory. We will take attendance at each class and three unexcused absences will cause you to lose 10% in your final grade, with an additional 10% for each successive missed class. If you must be absent, you must request approval in advance.. Late requests will be considered on a case by case basis. Unexcused absences during review days will also reduce your individual project grade.
Lateness¶
All assignments must be submitted by the required deadline, unless prior authorization is obtained from an instructor and documented in email. Verbal authorization is not sufficient: any verbal discussion of late submission must be documented with an emailed request and reply.
Assignments received within 24 hours of the deadline will receive half-score. Assignments received later than 24 hours will not be examined and receive zero score.
Assignments bounced for revision at the discretion of the instructor must be returned within 24 hours if not otherwise specified. This rule is meant to allow a grace period for reports which overlook a required element; please do not assume that incomplete work can be resubmitted.
However, please remember that something is always better than nothing. If the deadline is imminent, please submit whatever text, images, and drawings you can rather than do nothing. Always ask for an extension rather than silently fail to deliver.
IDeATe Facilities¶
The course makes use of the IDeATe fabrication facilities and labs in the lower level of Hunt Library, subject to availability and the evolving rules (see IDeATe Covid-19).
Currently, the IDeATe laser cutters are not available for general student use, and material purchases are not available from Lending.
Currently, the 3D printers will be operating via online submission for course-related projects. We can discuss at your project planning stage whether to spend course resources on this service.
Currently, the normal library study spaces are operating on a reservation-only system.
Please read and become familiar with the IDeATe lending and purchasing policies, which can be accessed at https://resources.ideate.cmu.edu. The IDeATe facilities are shared student resources and spaces. As such, all members of the IDeATe community are expected to be respectful of the equipment, the spaces, and fellow students and their projects. Always clean up after completing your work, put things back in their correct place, and leave the lab in better condition than you found it.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities¶
If you have a disability and have an accommodations letter from the Disability Resources office, I encourage you to discuss your accommodations and needs with me as early in the semester as possible. I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are provided as appropriate. If you suspect that you may have a disability and would benefit from accommodations but are not yet registered with the Office of Disability Resources, I encourage you to contact them at access@andrew.cmu.edu.
Student Health and Well-being¶
This semester promises to be radically different and potentially very stressful. Please take care of yourself. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress.
If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) is here to help: call 412-268-2922 and visit https://www.cmu.edu/counseling. Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help getting connected to the support that can help.
Last updated 2020-11-06.