TRC4800 Robotics
Faculty of Engineering
TRC4800 Robotics is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs MEC3457 or TRC3600.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before TRC4800
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After TRC4800
No unit lists TRC4800 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Overview
The unit will cover the fundamentals of robotics and robotic automation. The contents include spatial descriptions and transformations, manipulator forward and inverse kinematics, differential relationships and the Jacobian. Manipulator dynamics. Problem specification and solution preparation. Manipulator and end-effector configuration and design. Manipulator position control, involving sensing and actuation. Robotics in manufacturing and automation. Task Planning and techniques for modelling, simulation and programming of robotic tasks. Computational geometry for design and manufacture. Introduction to autonomous systems.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- AssignmentsExerciseThreshold hurdle25%
- Lab reportsDemonstrationThreshold hurdle15%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse problems of direct and inverse kinematics.
- 2
Generate robotic dynamics models by using both Lagrangian formula and New-Euler equations.
- 3
Design linear and nonlinear motion controllers and force controllers.
- 4
Design robotic tasks using methods of path planning and kinematics.
- 5
Appraise the design and performance of serial robotic manipulators in terms of kinematics, workspace and dynamics.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops36 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Laboratories9 hours
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Laboratory work involving physical interaction with a robot will operate under a collaborative setting, where you will work with others in small groups to solve robotics-related problems.
Pre-recorded lectures will give students another avenue of teaching on-demand, on top of the standard delivery of lectures. The prescribed textbook will be provided online.
Standard lectures will be delivered, covering the fundamentals of robotics. Laboratory activities will be conducted throughout the semester which will reinforce concepts learnt throughout the semester.
Laboratory work includes a simulation-based component which will help you to visualise and understand how theorems, concepts and principles are applied in the field of robotics.
Weekly practical activities will provide problems for you to solve, which will assist you to understand key concepts and principles of robotics. Assignment problems will focus on real-life applications which links theories and concepts with industry.
Learning resources
Required resources
J.J. Craig , Introduction to robotics : mechanics and control, 3rd ed., Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson, c2005.
C. Chen, Robotics
Recommended resources
J. Angeles, Fundamentals of Robotic Mechanical Systems: Theory, Methods, and Algorithms, 3rd
W. Stadler, Analytical Robotics and Mechatronics McGraw Hill, 1995.
M. Spong, S. Hutchinson, M. Vidyasagar, Robot Modeling and Control 1st Edition
Where it fits
TRC4800 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
- AEROENG04Aerospace engineering technical electivesAerospace engineeringNo reviews yet
- MECHENG03Mechanical engineering technical electivesMechanical engineeringNo reviews yet
- ROBMCTRN04Part C. Robotics and mechatronics engineering knowledge and applicationRobotics and mechatronics engineeringNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Chao Chen
- Dr Chan Ping Yi
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Chao Chen
Common questions
When is TRC4800 offered?
In 2025, TRC4800 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is TRC4800?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does TRC4800 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include TRC4800?
TRC4800 is part of Aerospace engineering; Mechanical engineering; and Robotics and mechatronics engineering.