TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Course Outline (F2026)

ELE719: Fundamentals of Robotics

Instructor(s)Ali Akbar Nazari [Coordinator]
Office: Online
Phone: TBA
Email: ali.nazari@torontomu.ca
Office Hours: Mondays 12:00-1:00 pm
Calendar DescriptionThis course provides a comprehensive treatment on the fundamentals of robotic manipulators and mobile robots. Topics include: homogeneous transformations, the Denavit-Hartenberg representation of linkages, solution of the forward kinematics problem. Closed-form and numerical solutions of the inverse kinematics problem. Differential kinematics and motion, Jacobian matrix, singularities. Kinematic and dynamic model of mobile robots. Path planning, trajectory planning and motion control for mobile robots.
PrerequisitesELE 639 or MEC 709
Antirequisites

None

Corerequisites

None

Compulsory Text(s):
  1. ELE719 Course Slides, Ali A. Nazari. Available through D2L.
  2. ELE719 Laboratory Manual, F2023 Edition, Y. C. Chen. Available through D2L.
Reference Text(s):
  1. Foundations of Robotics, B. Siciliano, et al., Springer-Nature, 2025. Also available online through TMU Library. [Main Reference]
  2. Robotics: Modelling, Planning and Control, B. Siciliano, et al., Springer-Verlag, 2009. Also available online through TMU Library.
  3. Robot Modeling and Control, M. W. Spong, et al., Wiley, 2020.
  4. Introduction to Robotics: Mechanics and Control, J. Craig, Pearson, 2017.
  5. Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control, K. M. Lynch and F. C. Park, Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Learning Objectives (Indicators)  

At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Develop both kinematics models for mobile robots and robotics manipulators, develop dynamics models for mobile robots. (1b)
  2. Interconnect electrical and control engineering concepts to solve control problem for mobile robots. (1c)
  3. Probabilistic localization for mobile robots. (2a)
  4. Design motion controllers for mobile robots. (4b)

NOTE:Numbers in parentheses refer to the graduate attributes required by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

Course Organization

3.0 hours of lecture per week for 13 weeks
2.0 hours of lab per week for 12 weeks
0.0 hours of tutorial per week for 12 weeks

Teaching AssistantsAhmed Tabl, ahmed.tabl@torontomu.ca
Course Evaluation
Theory
In-Class Quizzes 20 %
Final Exam (Theory Part) 40 %
Laboratory
Lab Experiments 20 %
Final Exam (Lab Part) 10 %
Simulation Project 10 %
TOTAL:100 %

Note: In order for a student to pass a course, a minimum overall course mark of 50% must be obtained. In addition, for courses that have both "Theory and Laboratory" components, the student must pass the Laboratory and Theory portions separately by achieving a minimum of 50% in the combined Laboratory components and 50% in the combined Theory components. Please refer to the "Course Evaluation" section above for details on the Theory and Laboratory components (if applicable).


ExaminationsIn-class quizzes will be announced on D2L. The final exam will be held during the exam period.
Other Evaluation InformationNone
Other InformationLecture and laboratory schedules are tentative and may change. Check D2L for updates. Laboratory work requires a Linux virtual machine running on Windows. See the Laboratory Manual on hardware and software requirements.

Course Content

Week

Hours

Chapters /
Section

Topic, description

1

3

Introduction; Rigid Motion & Homogeneous Transformation


2

3

Wheeled Mobile Robots (WMRs): Kinematic Model


3

3

Wheeled Mobile Robots (WMRs): Dynamic Model
 
 


4

3

Wheeled Mobile Robots (WMRs): Motion Control


5

0

Thanksgiving (Holiday)


6

3

Wheeled Mobile Robots (WMRs): Localization & Obstacle Avoidance
 


7

3

Forward Kinematics of Robot Manipulators
 


8

3

Forward Kinematics of Robot Manipulators


9

3

Inverse Kinematics of Robot Manipulators


10

3

Inverse Kinematics of Robot Manipulators


11

3

Differential Kinematics of Robot Manipulators


12

3

Differential Kinematics of Robot Manipulators


13

3

Simulation Projects Presentations; Course Review
 


Laboratory(L)/Tutorials(T)/Activity(A) Schedule

Week

L/T/A

Description

1

-

No Lab/Tutorial in Week 1

2-3

L1

Introductory Python Programming

4

T1

Tutorial

5

-

No Lab/Tutorial on October 12 and 15

6-7

L2

Inverse Kinematics and Simple Motions

8-9

L3

Forward Kinematics and Kinematics Control

10

T2

Tutorial

11-12

L4

Obstacle Avoidance Control

13

-

Lab Exam

University Policies & Important Information

Students are reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant university policies found in their online course shell in D2L and/or on the Senate website

Refer to the Departmental FAQ page for furhter information on common questions.

Important Resources Available at Toronto Metropolitan University

Academic Program Advising Contacts

Visit the Electrical, Computer and, Biomedical Engineering department's faculty page for contact information.

Lab Safety

Students are to strictly adhere and follow:

  1. The Lab Safety information/guidelines posted in the respective labs,
  2. provided in their respective lab handouts, and
  3. instructions provided by the Teaching Assistants/Course instructors/Technical Staff.

During the lab sessions, to avoid tripping hazards, the area around the lab stations should not be surrounded by bags, backpacks etc, students should place their bags, backpacks etc against the walls of the labs and/or away from their lab stations in such a way that it avoids tripping hazards.

Accessibility

Please see the Toronto Metropolitan University's Accessibility website for the university's statement on accessibility.

Academic Accommodation Support

Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) is the university's accessibility services office, supporting students with disabilities. AAS works with students, faculty, and staff to create inclusive learning environments, reduce barriers, and promote accessibility across the university.

If you have (or suspect you may have) a disability, AAS can provide consultation, guide you through registration, develop accommodation plans where appropriate, and connect you with supports and services. For information about eligibility, documentation requirements, registration, deadlines, and available services, visit AAS.

Academic Accommodations (for students with disabilities) and Academic Consideration (for short-term extenuating circumstances) are governed by different university policies. Learn more about each process and how to access support. Students registered with AAS may request academic consideration (related or unrelated to their disability) if they experience extenuating circumstances that impact their ability to meet their shorter term academic obligations. This includes short term physical or mental health issues that are sudden/acute (e.g, the flu), unexpected illness or injury, hospitalization or treatment, and significant aggravation of a pre-existing condition. Please see Policy 167: Academic Consideration for more information and details.

Please note that there is no accommodation for missing/rescheduling or reweighting of tests - this is considered an alternate arrangement. Any student who misses a test/exam will be directed to submit an ACR to explore if possible alternate arrangements under Policy 167: Academic Consideration can apply .

Wellbeing Support

At Toronto Metropolitan University, we recognize that things can come up throughout the term that may interfere with a student’s ability to succeed in their coursework. These circumstances are outside of one’s control and can have a serious impact on physical and mental well-being. Seeking help can be a challenge, especially in those times of crisis.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 and go to the nearest hospital emergency room. You can also access these outside resources at anytime:

If non-crisis support is needed, you can access these campus resources:

We encourage all Toronto Metropolitan University community members to access available resources to ensure support is reachable. You can find more resources available through the Toronto Metropolitan University Wellbeing Central website.