EGH437 Robot Anatomy

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Robots are complex systems that rely on electrical, electronic, mechanical and computing technology.  This unit provides an understanding of the components that go toward creating a robot, how they work individually, and how they are organized into systems.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Apply the physical principles behind components such as actuators and sensors
2. Critically analyse and make informed and justified choices about selection of components for a robot design
3. Apply the fundamental paradigm of robots (sense, plan and act) to design practice and communicate outcomes in written and verbal forms.
4. Apply a systems approach to robotics design and complex problem solving

Content

Learning Approaches

You can expect the following activities in this unit:

• Lectures by experienced teaching staff. You will have the opportunity to interact with the lecturers and get deep feedback on your research ideas and progress.
• Write research/survey papers on particular components.
• Hands-on experiments in the lab (or with a personal robot). The teaching team will assist you but also expects that you are highly collaborative and self-sufficiently able to apply previously gained knowledge.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback will be given regularly throughout the semester by tutors and lecturers, following your oral and written presentations of research ideas, plan, design, execution and progress early, mid-semester and at the end of the semester. Tutors and lecturers are available for feedback and advice in the lab sessions.

Assessment

Overview

The assessments will be conducted through online quizzes and a semester-long individual research project. Individually, you will be assessed on a mix of written research reports, research-based oral presentations and examinations to assess the unit learning outcomes.

Unit dependencies

Supports ENN595-1 Project 1

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Workbook Activity

This assignment will test your application of knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of robot anatomy in a range of relevant topics addressed so far in the semester, via short questions and small problem-solving tasks set in context of practical, realistic scenarios.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

Assessment: Research Paper and Oral Presentation

Publishing and presenting research outcomes at scientific meetings is an integral part of a researcher.

Students will use the knowledge gathered in this unit to critically analyse and evaluate features, use cases and limitations of a specified component and communicate their findings in the form of a research paper and presentation to a broad audience. The research paper and presentation are authentic and industry-relevant communication methods.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

Assessment: Examination (invigilated)

This is a theory based exam with a combination of short/long answers and authentic scenario-based design problems.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

You may be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of the lecturer and technical staff of the School. In any laboratory practicals you will be advised of the requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes).

If required you will undergo a health and safety induction before the commencement of the practical sessions and will be issued with a safety induction card. If you do not have a safety induction card you will be denied access to laboratories.

Course Learning Outcomes

EN52 Master of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts and practices in Robotics and AI
   Relates to: Workbook Activity, Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
2. Critically analyse, evaluate and apply appropriate methods to Robotics and AI problems to achieve research-informed solutions
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
3. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly in oral and written form for diverse purposes and audiences
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation
4. Work independently and collaboratively demonstrating ethical and socially responsible practice
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation

EN62 Graduate Certificate in Robotics

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge, concepts and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Robotics
   Relates to: Workbook Activity, Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
2. Analyse and evaluate Robotics problems using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice to achieve innovative, critically informed solutions
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
3. Effectively communicate Robotics problems, related complex data and information, and solutions in contemporary professional formats for diverse purposes and audiences
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation
4. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation

EN72 Master of Advanced Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts and practices in Advanced Robotics and AI and Data Analytics domains
   Relates to: Workbook Activity, Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
2. Critically analyse, evaluate and apply appropriate methods to problems to achieve research-informed solutions in Advanced Robotics and AI and Data Analytics domains
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
3. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly in oral and written form for diverse purposes and audiences
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation
4. Work independently and collaboratively demonstrating ethical and socially responsible practice
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation

EN79 Graduate Diploma in Engineering Studies

1. Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge, concepts and practices as they relate to contemporary Engineering practice
   Relates to: Workbook Activity, Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
2. Analyse and evaluate Engineering problems using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading edge research to achieve innovative, critically informed solutions
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
3. Effectively communicate Engineering problems, related complex data and information, and solutions in contemporary professional formats for diverse purposes and audiences
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation
4. Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation

EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Make decisions ethically within the social, cultural, and organisational contexts of professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Examination (invigilated)
2. Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
3. Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation
4. Deploy appropriate approaches to engineering design and quality.
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
5. Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Research Paper and Oral Presentation
6. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Workbook Activity, Research Paper and Oral Presentation, Examination (invigilated)
7. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Workbook Activity, Examination (invigilated)