Evolutionary Robotics
Topic outline
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The course gives an introduction to evolutionary computation, neural computation, and applications to robotics. The course consists of ex-cathedra lectures, lab exercises and team projects on the co-evolution of robotic brains and bodies.
The course is based on foundational chapters from Floreano, D. and Mattiussi, C. (2008) Bio-inspired Artificial Intelligence. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press
In addition, research articles and reports with recent technological advances are provided on Moodle.
Credits: 3
Every Wednesday, 13.15-16.00
Final written exam: 3 July 2019, 08h15 - 9h45, room CE2. The written exam consists of Multiple Choice Questions.
Grade: 50% written exam, 50% project presentation (Annotated slides)
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13:15 - 16:00
Lecture: Introduction to Evolutionary Computation: part 1 (Floreano)
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13:15 - 14:00
Lecture: Introduction to Evolutionary Computation: part 2 (Floreano)
14:15 - 16:00
Exercise 0: Evolutionary Algorithms: part 1 (Zappetti and Bhaskaran)
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13:15 - 16:00
Lecture: Foundations of Neural Networks and Unsupervised Learning (Floreano)
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13:15 - 16:00
Lecture: Supervised learning in neural networks (Floreano)
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13:15 - 15:00
Lecture: Evolutionary Robotics (Floreano)
15:15 - 16:00
Exercise 0: Evolution of neural networks: part 2 (Zappetti and Bhaskaran)
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13:15 - 15:00
Lecture: Models and algorithms of architectural development (Floreano)
15:15 - 16:00
Lecture: Introduction to Robogen software (Zappetti & Bhaskaran)
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13:15 - 16:00
Exercise 1: Brain evolution of a predefined robot body (Zappetti, Bhaskaran, Vourtsis and Gudozhnik)
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Python script to convert robot description file from ".json" format to ".txt" format.
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13:15 - 16:00
Exercise 2: Body encoding & Evolutionary parameters (Zappetti and Bhaskaran)
Formation of student groups: discussion of project ideas (Zappetti and Bhaskaran)
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13:15 - 15:00
Exercise 3: Body-Brain Co-evolution (Zappetti and Bhaskaran)
15:15 - 16:00
Lecture: Introduction to Robogen Hardware (Vourtsis and Gudozhnik)
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13.15 - 15.00
Lecture: Competitive and Cooperative Co-Evolution (Floreano)
15:15 - 16:00Exercise: Robogen project coaching session (Zappetti, Bhaskaran, Vourtsis and Gudozhnik )
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13:15 - 16:00
Intermediate Project Presentations: 5 minutes per student group (Floreano, Zappetti, Bhaskaran, Vourtsis and Gudozhnik )
Handout of robotic kits and access to DLL rooms (3D printing, soldering, experimentation)
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13:15 - 16:00
Exercise: Robogen project coaching session (Zappetti, Bhaskaran, Vourtsis and Gudozhnik )
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13:15 - 16:00
Exercise: Robogen project coaching session (Zappetti, Bhaskaran, Vourtsis and Gudozhnik)
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13.15 - 16:00
Final project presentations: Each group will give 8 minutes presentation + 2 minutes Q&A (Floreano, Zappetti, Bhaskaran, Vourtsis and Gudozhnik)
Students groups must hand their final presentations in pdf and ppt format by 28th of May at 23:59 to davide.zappetti@epfl.ch