The module “Robot companions for assisted living” aims to provide students with basic knowledge on design principles and methodologies, grounded in the scientific studies, for developing cooperative robots that can effectively negotiate natural environments, better interact with human beings and provide services and support in a variety of real-world, real-life activities. This module presents: 1) hardware architectures, 2) actuators, 3) control strategies, 4) sensors, 5) power supply solutions, 6) human-robot interfaces and 7) communication protocols of service, rehabilitation and assistive robots. Hands-on activities on developing biomechanical models, programming wearable sensors and analysing data recoreded by robotic devices are part of this module.

The module “Cloud Robotics” will provide the students with competences in the field of cloud robotics, IoT and will provide information on the software and hardware design of autonomous robots and systems that can interact in human and urban environments. Specific activities will be performed with ROS (Robotic Operating System) that will be implemented in real control hardware as Hands-on activity.

The assessment criteria of knowledge of the module “Robot companions for assisted living” is based both on the oral exam and workproject.

As regards the oral exam, the student is asked to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of topics presented and discussed during the module.

As regards the workproject the student has to demonstrate to be able to design solutions, models and prototypes for service, rehabilitation and assistive robotics.

As regards the module “Cloud Robotics”, the assessment criteria of knowledge will be based on a written exam and an oral discussion about hands-on activity performed. During the discussion, the students will be asked to demonstrate to be confident with the proposed hardware and the main topics of the course.

At the end of the module “Robot companions for assisted living” the student will have:

• a detailed knowledge on main robotic devices available in the field of service, rehabilitation and assistive robotics;
• a theoretical knowledge on main control schemes for a safe and reliable human-robot interaction;
• a robust knowledge of planning of experimental trials, especially in clinical field.

 At the end of the module “Cloud Robotics” the student will have a knowledge on:

- theoretical concepts of Cloud Robotics, IoT systems, ROS, YARP;

- how to design specifications for a system;

- how to make a Proof of Concept project and how to communicate the proposed solution.

During classes and during final exam of the module “Robot companions for assisted living” questions, exercises and workprojects requiring the use of skills acquired during the module will be proposed to the students.

During the “Cloud Robotics” module, skills will be assessed by discussion and interaction that will be used for inspiring the students and translate theoretical topics into research.

Module “Robot companions for assisted living”

The student will be able to:

• design simple service, rehabilitation and assistive robots;
• understand main short- and medium-term technical and scientific challenges for developing innovative robot companions for assisting persons during activities of daily living.

Module “Cloud Robotics”

The student will be able to:

• design intelligent systems in the field of Cloud robotics;
• get a research-based approach to the problem by designing the specification for a specific system and determining the sub-problems.

The assessment criteria of behaviors of the module “Robot companions for assisted living” is based on the discussion during the oral exam and on the outcomes of a workproject.

During the “Cloud Robotics” module, criteria of behaviors will be assessed by discussion and interaction that will be used for inspiring the students and translate theoretical topics into research.