Course content

This is a master project for students studying Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and ICT, or Subsea Technology.

The student will perform an independent technical and scientific study of a specific topic under the supervision of a professor or associate professor.

Topics vary from year to year. Most students continue the topic of the specialization project (TPK4560 or TPK4561).

Topics fall under several categories; the following list is not exhaustive:

• Resilient robotic systems able to perform autonomous Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) operations in diverse and highly dynamic environments with applications across many industries (e.g., oil and gas, offshore platforms, wind turbines, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, manufacturing, and the energy sector).
• Advanced perception, reliable state estimation, precise localization and mapping, agile autonomous navigation and exploration, robust control and in general robust field autonomy for mobile robots for applications both on land and underwater.
• Machine learning for vision-based robot imitation learning.
• Computer vision for robotics and automation, such as obstacle detection and pose estimation.
• Neural networks and kernel methods for estimation of system dynamics based on physical properties.
• Mechatronics, with a focus on designing, building and testing novel devices to solve real-world problems, such as mechanized mobility devices, search and rescue robots, and food production.
• Automation of industrial processes, with a focus on subsea oil and gas production and processing. This may include modeling, simulation and control of devices such as separators or compressors; or control of larger systems such as entire oil fields or gas transport networks.
• Automation and robotification of farming (traditional and vertical).
• Automation of surface vessels, such as energy-optimal auto-docking

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The student can demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and insight into a specific subject within the field of robotics and automation by being able to explain and use the underlying theoretical concepts and techniques.

Skills:

The student is able to perform an independent, guided scientific work, within a topic of robotics and automation. The work can be theoretical or applied.

Competence:

The student will be able to perform a large, independent project, including creating a project plan with milestones. The student is able to find and use relevant literature. The student is able to write a scientific report.

Learning methods and activities

Independent project work with guidance and advice culminating in a report detailing the work and its findings. The report can be written in English or Norwegian.

Incoming exchange students who want to write a master's thesis at MTP can contact studier@mtp.ntnu.no to receive the MTP agreement. The agreement must be signed by all parties before the student arrives in Trondheim

Compulsory assignments

• Oral presentation

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

TPK4160 Robotics and automation, specialization project or TPK4161 Robotics and automation, specialization project is recommended.

Beyond, that, exact recommendations depends on the chosen topic.

In general, TPK4170 Robotics, TPK4171 Advanced Industrial Robotics, TPK4125 Mechatronics, and TPK4128 Industrial Mechatronics, and TTK4105 Control Systems may be recommended.

Programming knowledge at the level of TDT4102 Procedural and Object-Oriented Programming is recommended.

Required previous knowledge

Some topics may have explicit requirements.