Workshop in Robotics, Spring 2026

Workshop (Sadna)

Spring 2026
0368-3535-01
(in moodle ignore 0368-3535-02 and 0368-3535-03)

Lecture: Wednesday, 15:00-17:00, Room – Checkpoint 480

Instructors:
Dror Livnat, [email protected]
Michael Bilevich, [email protected]
Office hours by appointment

Projects

Robotics algorithms address the perception, planning, and control of autonomous systems operating in complex environments, with applications ranging from industrial automation and mobile robots to medical robotics, navigation systems, and interactive computer systems. In this workshop we will explore and apply algorithms for one of several robot systems. For example: (i) an industrial collaborative robotic arm (UR5e) playing Jenga, or writing on the board and erasing it (ii) a desk top robotic arm (myCobot 320) using chopsticks (iii) an autonomous vehicle (RoboMaster or a robotic vacuum cleaner) mapping and/or navigating the floor (iv) drones that need to carry out a prescribed task while avoiding obstacles on their way as well as other drones.

A typical project involves planning and implementing an application with a real world robot.

Class meetings

At the first meetings of the workshop, past projects and ideas for future ones will be discussed shortly. Then, students will gather into small groups and each group will decide on a project, define it, and work on it. In one of the first meetings, the basics of motion planning algorithms will be presented as an example of a core problem on the computer science side of robotics. Below is the complete list of expected class meetings. Exact dates for the meetings will be updated at a later time.

18-Mar-26 — Introduction of the robotics lab, review of potential projects, robots demonstration in the lab, and teaming up (Checkpoint Building, room 480)
25-Mar-26 — Introduction to robot motion planning. Round table discussion on each planned project (Checkpoint Building, room 480)
15-Apr-26 — Project selection – each group presents their project plan, with an open discussion on each project (Checkpoint Building, room 480)
Date TBD — Presentation of project plan (Room TBD)
Date TBD — Presentation of POC – (Room TBD)
Date TBD — Presentation of the final projects (Room TBD)

Along the semester there will be separate/dedicated meetings with each team.

Submissions

Along the semester there will be a few mandatory milestones. Below is the complete list of expected submissions. Exact dates will be discussed and published in class. Each submission is to be carried by 23:59 on the submission date. Prior to each submission, a dedicated submission box will be created in the course Moodle, together with detailed submission instructions. Each submission will be carried once per team, by one of the team members.

TBD — Team members details and a short description of the project (up to one page)
TBD — Project plan will be presented in class
TBD — POC presentation in class and lab
TBD — Final project presentation, software package, user manual, programmer manual, video clips

Teamwork

The project is intended to involve a significant amount of teamwork. The recommended team size is three. Each team will design a project together with the course staff, develop it along the semester and the exams’ break, and submit it at a TBD date.

Bibliography: click here

Projects: Following are a few past projects.