Writing a project proposal

Writing a project proposal#

In this session you will:

  1. Get introduction to the infrastructure, sensors and materials that you can leverage in your project

  2. Discuss with lab technicians and me about your idea, especially about its feasibility

  3. Write your proposal and get feedback

Overview of what you can use aside from the robot arms

  1. Conveyor belt

  2. Lego bricks

  3. 3d printer and printed parts from previous projects

  4. Sensors:

    Each robot has at least 2 photoelectric sensors (different sensing distances) and 1 limit switch connected. The limit switch signal is connected to both robots on the same table.

Proposal components#

Problem and solution

Choose a problem that you really would like to solve. Otherwise the project period can feel very long 😮‍💨. In the ideal case you may get a project that you can showcase in your job interview 🤩.

Include the following:

  • the problem you would like to solve.

  • why this problem matters to you and who benefits from the solution?

  • how your solution fits into Industry 4 pillars and Industry 5 goals?

Milestones

List goals and date for each project stage.

Go for the moon, but have a minimal viable product (MVP) that takes off without any humans in it.

Have an idea that you have fun building but focus first on an MVP that demonstrates the core of your idea.

Include at least two milestones. One of them must me the MVP.

Tools and data resources

Write a list of what you will use.

Example:

  • 3d printer for printing component containers

  • https://frankfurter.dev/ to get stock market data

  • camera for object classification

  • conveyor belt to feed the items to the robot

Task distribution agreement

Sets the expectations for the project execution. Important for mutual commitment and accountability.

Distribute tasks to group members, so that each member is at least responsible for one part of the project.

All in all, the project proposal is a compass. It will probably change during the project period, when you learn by doing.

Use of LLMs in the project#

In the previous weeks, you were allowed to use LLMs only as a feedback tool—but you must be able to explain any LLM-generated code during your presentation.

LLMs often produce complex solutions if prompts are too broad. Support from the teaching staff will be limited if you cannot understand or modify the code yourself. To stay in control, try to stick to the basic programming structures introduced in lectures.

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