Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Postgraduate master’s course in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Academic year 2024/25 entry

Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc Robotics MSc

Cranfield University We are the UK’s only specialist postgraduate university in technology and management, with longstanding relationships with some of the most prestigious global companies. Our close collaboration with industry, and passion for the areas we operate in, will help your career.

of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent 88%

Specialist postgraduate A research-focused professional community

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Top 30 in the world

Over £150 million

of investment in new facilities over the past five years

for Engineering – Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing QS World University Rankings by subject, 2023

5 , 000+ postgraduate students from 100+ countries

Unique aerospace facilities

75 , 000 + alumni, from 177 countries A professional network of

We have our own runway, our own airport, our own aircraft and our own air navigation service provider.

As we are postgraduate only, we are not listed in league tables that help compare undergraduate universities, such as The Times World Rankings and The Complete University Guide .

“I wanted to fill my knowledge gaps and improve my understanding of the applied aspects of AI in the physical world with all of the challenges that come with that. This MSc has done exactly that. It aligns strongly with the needs of aerospace, defence, and the automotive sectors where there are significant benefits to the application of AI but also significant pitfalls that must be understood and avoided. My Cranfield MSc

experience has been truly rewarding and insightful.” Nick Colosimo, Lead Engineer – Future Combat Air System,

Global Engineering Fellow, BAE Systems, (Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc, 2021)

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Reasons to study Robotics and Artificial Intelligence with us

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Focused learning environment Cranfield University encourages a mature, focused and stimulating learning environment, attracting a diverse international student body. Industry links You will have regular contact with industry through group and individual project work as well as guest lectures from partner organisations. Courses are regularly reviewed by an advisory panel of leading professionals from industry to ensure the content is relevant and meets the expectations of employers. Learning from the best academics We attract top-quality staff from across the world that are involved in relevant projects in the area of Applied AI such as HumanDrive - the longest autonomous journey in the UK - or autonomous inspections with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and computer vision.

Excellent facilities You will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, tools and research facilities, including our high-performance computing centre, with dedicated high-end graphics processing unit (GPU) nodes, workstations for GPU-accelerated training of deep learning models and hands-on experience on NVIDIA Jetson embedded boards. Networking opportunities Our industry advisory panel members propose all individual research projects and attend our thesis presentations. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to work on industry-relevant problems, meet employers and forge valuable links and contacts for career

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development purposes. Opportunities for further study

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Some of our graduates go onto PhD degree programmes, often addressing specific, live topics agreed with employers or industry.

UAV laboratory test flight.

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Course information

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming various industries and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. From manufacturing to healthcare, from education to entertainment, AI and robotics are enhancing productivity, quality, and efficiency. Applied Artificial Intelligence www.cranfield.ac.uk/aai Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are being increasingly adopted across a broad range of industries, creating demand for talented graduates who can help realise the transformative potential. Suitable for individuals from diverse backgrounds in engineering disciplines such as aerospace, mechanical, electronic and electrical, as well as those in computer science and mathematics. With this course you will put into practice AI techniques in realworld environments and work on projects provided by industry partners. Be at the forefront of this revolution, by gaining a cutting-edge combination of theoretical and practical skills, enabling you to work across disciplines and implement AI systems where they are needed. Compulsory modules • Data Analytics and Visualisation, • Deep Learning, • Ethical, Regulatory and Social Aspects of AI, • Intelligent Cyber Physical Systems, • Logic and Automated Reasoning, • Search and Optimisation, • Statistical Learning Methods, • Systems Engineering. MSc Full-time/Part-time The global market for aerial, ground and marine autonomous vehicles has grown rapidly due to the advancement of drone and driverless car technologies. This course offers a unique combination of modules that places you at an advantage in today's competitive employment market. Suitable for those with backgrounds in engineering, physics and mathematics, you will become conversant in key aspects of autonomy, and will be equipped with advanced skills applicable to the security, defence, marine, environmental and aerospace industries. Compulsory modules • Artificial Intelligence for Autonomous Systems, MSc Full-time Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control www.cranfield.ac.uk/AutonomousVehicleDC · Accredited, see page 9

• Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, • Logic and Automated Reasoning, • Sensor Fusion, • UAS Dynamics and Control, • UAS Modelling and Simulation.

• Autonomous Vehicle Control Systems, • Guidance and Navigation for Unmanned Aircraft Systems,

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Robotics www.cranfield.ac.uk/robotics · Accredited, see page 9

MSc Full-time/Part-time

Cranfield is proud to be at the front of technology and we understand robots are becoming ubiquitous in industrial environments as well as in everyday life. Various industries like automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, and energy, have significant future growth for robot deployment. This course will improve the employment prospects of students by providing you with relevant theoretical knowledge and practical skills to become robotics engineers and experts in robotics, and to meet the rising global demands. It is unique in its focus on human aspects supported by practical applications. The course provides insight into multiple application domains for intelligent and autonomous robot systems including industry, hazardous environments, health care, domestic/assistive robotics, and autonomous vehicles. Compulsory modules • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Robotics, • Autonomy in Robotic Systems, • Machine Vision for Robotics, • Programming Methods for Robotics, • Psychology, Ethics and Standards, • Robotics Control.

• Fundamentals of Robotics, • Human-Robot Interaction,

Working with Robots in our Intelligent Automation Lab.

Students working on aerial robots in the UAV laboratory.

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Course structure Our specialist, sector-facing master’s courses are set up and developed in close collaboration with industry partners, ensuring the content of our courses remain industry-relevant and employers will be impressed with your business-readiness. This diagram illustrates the typical course structure of many of our full-time master's courses. Please check the course structure online for more detailed information, including part-time course structure variations.

An opportunity to think and work in an original way. For example, this could be working on a project for a University partner, delving deeper into an area of speci c interest or a real-world challenge in the sector you want to work in.

The ability to understand how your part of a project affects the whole, giving you a head start for the world of work.

An intensive learning experience, providing the knowledge you need to excel in your specialist field.

Taught programme

Group project

Individual thesis

40%

20%

40%

80 credits 800 hours

40 credits 400 hours

80 credits 800 hours

200 credits 2,000 hours

Registration

Completion

Industry advisory panel Our courses are directed by an industry advisory panel who meet twice a year to ensure they provide the right mix of hands-on skills and up-to-date knowledge suitable for the wide variety of applications that this field addresses. Companies represented on the panel include Airbus D&S, BAE Systems, Barnard Microsytems, BioCarbon Engineering, Blue Bear Systems, Boeing, Callen-Lenz, General Atomics Aeronautical, Jaguar Land Rover, Lockheed Martin, Mass, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, Spirent, Thales, Thhink, United Technologies Research Centre, QinetiQ.

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Group projects The group project is a key element of this programme. It is intended to give you an invaluable experience of delivering a project within a simulated industrial environment. You will develop additional skills such as working with varied expertise, project management and technical presentation techniques. Previous projects include: • BAE Systems UAV Swarm Challenge, • Projects offered by Kaggle, Amazon and Hackatons, • Analysis/modelling of data from completed/delivered research project databases, • Service robot development with Milton Keynes Council. Part-time students are encouraged to participate in a group project as it provides a wealth of learning opportunities. An option of an individual dissertation is also available if agreed with the Course Director. Careers This course improves your attractiveness to the employment market as it will broaden your career options. You will become a more valuable resource if currently employed and attending as part of a traineeship programme. Roles • Applied Machine Learning Engineer, • Big Data/Software Engineer, Organisations • Airbus, • BAE Systems,

• Data Scientist, • Expert Analyst,

• Google, • Huawei, • Jaguar Land Rover, • MBDA, • Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One, Team, • Rolls Royce.

• Machine Learning Engineer, • Power Electronics Engineer, • Research Scientist, • Robotics and Automation R&D Engineer.

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Academic staff

Dr Gilbert Tang, Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Robotics Gilbert has been conducting robotics research at Cranfield University for over 13 years, particularly related to large-scale robot system development, intuitive human-robot interface, human-robot collaboration, and service robotics. He has been the project lead for a number of industrial research projects delivering automated production solutions at the mid-Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to leading aerospace manufacturers. Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Head of the Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems Antonios joined Cranfield University in 1999 as a lecturer and was appointed Head of the Centre in 2007. He is Chair of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) Technical Committee on Aerospace Control, and a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Unmanned Systems Integration and Outreach Committee. Dr Yang Xing, Course Director and Lecturer in Applied Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Yang received his PhD from Cranfield University, he also holds an MSc degree in Control Systems from the University of Sheffield. Before joining Cranfield, he worked as a research associate with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford. His research interest focuses on artificial intelligence, deep learning, computer vision, human autonomy collaboration, and autonomous vehicles. Professor Phil Webb, Head of the Centre for Robotics and Assembly Phil moved to Cranfield in 2009 and holds the Royal Academy of Engineering and Airbus Chair in Industrial Robotics and Assembly and is the Head of Centre for Robotics and Assembly. For the last 25 years Phil has been conducting research into the application of advanced robotics automation to aircraft and aero-engine structural assembly. During this time he has worked with most of the world’s leading aerospace companies. He has served as an elected Council member of the British Automation and Robot Association and has acted as the UK representative to the International Federation of Robotics. Professor Argyrios Zolotas, Course Director and Professor of Autonomous Systems and Control Argyrios is a key academic at Cranfield University's Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems, internationally known for his expertise in Autonomous Systems and Control. He has spent more than two decades researching and developing engineering applications for dynamically complex systems in the transportation and aerospace industries. He has received multiple awards, including a visiting professorship with Grenoble INP, France, in 2018.

“My previous experience and my passion for robots enabled me to hunt for a university that provides a master’s degree which is research-intensive and industry-orientated in the field of robotics. I found Cranfield University, which is renowned for its intensive research. Cranfield University have a great heritage in aerospace, and they have also highly skilled professors in the field of human robot interactions." Raviteja Burugu, current student, (Robotics MSc)

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Key facts

Course information

Cohort profile *

Geographic spread 22% UK 88% International

Full-time One year

Part-time Two to three years

Typical cohort age 20-24 years

Start date September

Average cohort size 30

MSc

Fees Please see the individual course pages on our website for full fee information and full-time or part-time options. Terms and conditions apply.

16% Female 84% Male

*These figures give an indication of the course make-up at registration for Applied Artificial Intelligence MSc, Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc and Robotics MSc, for the entry year 2022-23.

See www.cranfield.ac.uk/fee s

Accreditation The Robotics MSc is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). The Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control MSc is accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). Both courses are accredited on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to show that they have satisfied the educational base for CEng registration. You can check the accreditation status of this or any other degree programme at www.engc.org.uk/acad or visit the course webpage for further details.

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More than a degree with the Cranfield Enhance programme Cranfield graduates are valued for their distinctive skills and capabilities. We have developed these programmes to complement and enhance what you learn on your chosen qualification. On the Cranfield Enhance programme, you will be able to earn ‘digital badges’ in areas such as Employability, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Outreach to showcase your new skills to prospective employers. Read more at www.cranfield.ac.uk/enhance

Financing your studies If you need advice on funding your course or living costs, we can provide information and a range of online tools to help you put

together the funding package you need. There is more information on our website: www.cranfield.ac.uk/funding

How to apply Read more about our entry requirements and how to apply: www.cranfield.ac.uk/apply “Cranfield allowed me to gain knowledge in an exceptionally specialised topic, relevant to today's rapidly developing aerospace industry. It was a rewarding experience to conduct research. Our innovative group project concerned drone swarm solutions. My individual thesis project was industry supported. Equally important was the environment. Immensely international and open-minded with people from all around the world, from whom I had a chance to learn and make long lasting friendships." Aleksandra Marciniak, Systems and Software Engineer, Rolls-Royce, (Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control 2021)

Life at Cranfield

A welcoming, professional campus community. Located just over an hour from London in the English countryside, Cranfield’s campus environment supports close, working relationships between our multinational postgraduate students and academic and industry experts.

www.cranfield.ac.uk/visit

Cambridge

Bedford

Silverstone

Cranfield

Milton Keynes

Stansted

Luton

Oxford

LONDON •

Heathrow

Major train line

Gatwick

Have a look at some of our facilities in this virtual experience. virtualexperience.cranfield.ac.uk

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Cranfield University works with over 1,500

businesses and governments based in over 40 countries

These organisations include:

For a full list of Cranfield courses, please see our prospectus or website.

www.cranfield.ac.uk/ computing-ai

T: +44 (0)1234 758083 E: studyaerospace@cranfield.ac.uk

@cranfielduni @cranfieldaero

Cranfield University

Cranfield University Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK

@cranfielduni

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Every effort is made to ensure that the information in this brochure is correct at the time it is printed. Please check our website for the latest information. SATM-AAI-September 2023.

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