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CSE 490I Design in Neurobotics

The field of Neurobotics lies at the intersection of robotics and medicine. It aims to build a robot-human closed loop system to alter the neural control of movement as a way to rehabilitate, assist, and enhance human motor control and learning capabilities. Typically, the primary target population is individuals with strokes, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other injuries that inhibit daily activities. However, it could also target sports medicine, military, and entertainment applications. This course is an introductory design course in Neurobotics focusing on learning about human neural control of movement, using physiological signals as inputs, and controlling a mechanical device. Students will learn simple control laws, hands on experience and programming in controlling robots, and applying knowledge of human movements to move the robot. There is a design project competition at the end of quarter.

24.371 Electromechanical Systems (CMU)

Most mechanical devices need, or are enhanced by, an electrical or computer subsystem. This course is intended to teach Mechanical Engineering undergraduate students about these subsystems. The course starts with basic analog electrical components, analog circuit analysis techniques, logic and digital circuit design, transistor physics, operational amplifiers, sensors and actuators, and microcontroller programming. Using these electrical and computer tools, students will learn to analyze sensory signals and control actuators as a way to construct integrated electromechanical systems. Three laboratory assignments include design, construction, and analysis of analog and digital circuits, and programming a microcontroller to control a motor.

16.299 Introduction to Feedback Control Systems (CMU)

This course is designed as a first course in feedback control and systems for computer science majors. Course topics will include systems, dynamic response, feedback control, time and frequency domain analysis, Laplace transforms, state-space design, digital control, and robotic control. Laboratory work will include implementation of controllers for force feedback robotic devices. Priorities will be given to those with robotics minor.

24.779/16.779 Humans Systems and Control (CMU)

This course covers the mechanisms of human motor systems and control, using arm movements as an example. The course starts from the anatomy of muscles, sensors, spinal cord, and brain; then functional analysis of these system components will follow. After system analysis, all components are integrated to study feedback control dynamics. Using physiological studies such as psychophysical and lesion experiments, the course covers classic to modern theories of how the nervous systems may control movements. Advance topics include adaptation, representation, coordinate systems, cognitive involvement, and rehabilitation techniques for motor impaired patients.