> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://x.ancorasir.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://x.ancorasir.com/des5002/readme.md). # DES5002 Designing Robots for Social Good Autumn 2026 ## Course Description This course exemplifies the technical and ethical guidelines in designing robots for social good. The course introduces the principles, materials, design, and modeling of robotic agents for physical interactions with the environment, helping students understand the basic concepts and core technologies of robotics. The course further takes a theme-based and case-driven approach to help students identify the key factors in designing robots for social good and practice them in a design challenge. ## Learning Outcomes At the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. Conduct analysis of robotic systems in terms of technical and ethical aspects. 2. Adopt advanced technologies in designing robotic systems. 3. Demonstrate ability to align technical and ethical guidelines in designing robots for social good. ## Content Summary The course covers introductory and human-centered robotics, soft robotics, humanoids, robot simulation, data and machine learning, AI applications in sound, text, image and body, and AI risk. Lectures are complemented by design case-study workshops, tutorials, an interim review and a final review. Students review three robot case studies individually and work in teams of four to propose a robot for social good, communicating hardware design and modeling, intelligence/AI, and human–robot interaction through two posters and a final presentation. ## Course Instructor & Teaching Team * Lead Instructor: Dr. Wan Fang * Teaching Assistant: Chen Baihui * Office: Level 3, Zhiyuan ## Grading Policy * (10%) Attendance — recorded during each class by Teaching Assistants. * (20%) Individual Assignment — review and present three robot case studies. * (70%) Team Project / Final Presentation — team poster project on the design of robots for social good. #### Individual Assignment — 20% Choose a topic from a robot perspective (for example, robotic dogs or humanoids) or a social-good perspective (for example, education, companionship or public health). Search for and review three robot case studies: papers or products. Submit and present slides in a 15-minute presentation. A good review addresses: * What problem connects the three examples, and why were these papers or products selected? * Who benefits, who else is affected, how is the problem currently addressed, and what justifies using a robot? * What are the robot designs and technical approaches? * What are the main contributions and limitations of each robot? * What insights emerge from comparing all three? #### Team Project — 70% Propose a robot for social good using the robotics and AI knowledge learned in the course, focusing on the user, scenario, hardware/system design and interaction. * Form a team of four students. * Prepare two posters: one on hardware design and modeling; the other on intelligence/AI and human–robot interaction. * Present the work at the final review. Slides or videos may be used for the presentation. * Hardware/software prototypes are encouraged but are not required. Assessment criteria, grade thresholds and submission arrangements are to be confirmed. ## Academic Integrity This course follows the SUSTech Code of Academic Integrity. Students are expected to abide by that code. Work submitted by a student for academic credit must be the student's own work. Violations, including cheating, copying and non-approved collaborations, will not be tolerated. ## University Calendar ![](https://2794323273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAVuDVBGiUqymryHxmdTt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8d265e79aab90d4652af23a5d68fb431bd4a51d0%2Fsustech-calendar-autumn-2026.webp?alt=media) ## Recommended Textbook(s) 1. Ethically Aligned Design: A Vision for Prioritizing Human Well-being with Autonomous and Intelligent Systems. 2. Designing Robots, Designing Humans. 3. [Soft Robotics Toolkit](https://softroboticstoolkit.com/). 4. Coyle, Stephen, et al. “Bio-inspired soft robotics: Material selection, actuation, and design.” Extreme Mechanics Letters 22 (2018): 51–59. ## Teaching Schedule [**Class 01: Introduction to Robots**](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAVuDVBGiUqymryHxmdTt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a351ce399c21781a1461233c06ba60e8a7603edb%2FLecture-01-Introduction-to-Robots.pdf?alt=media) **|** Wed Sep 09, 1400–1550 **Class 02: The Rise of Robotics and AI |** Fri Sep 11, 1400–1550 **Class 03: Human-Centered Robotics |** Fri Sep 18, 1400–1550 **Class 04: Workshop: Design case study |** Wed Sep 23, 1400–1550 **Class 05: Workshop: Design case study |** **Change to Sun, date and time TBC** * *Team formation* * *Assignment submission* ~~**Class 06: Cancelled and Happy Holiday |** Fri Oct 02~~ **Class 07: Soft Robotics I |** **Change to Sat Oct 10, time TBC** **Class 08: Soft Robotics II |** Fri Oct 09, 1400–1550 **Class 09: Humanoid |** Fri Oct 16, 1400–1550 **Class 10: Robot Simulation |** Wed Oct 21, 1400–1550 **Class 11: Tutorial |** Fri Oct 23, 1400–1550 **Class 12: Workshop: Interim Review |** Fri Oct 30, 1400–1550 **Class 13: Intro to Data and ML |** Wed Nov 04, 1400–1550 **Class 14: AI + Basics |** Fri Nov 06, 1400–1550 **Class 15: AI + Sound |** Fri Nov 13, 1400–1550 **Class 16: AI + Text |** Wed Nov 18, 1400–1550 ~~**Class 17: Cancelled and Have Fun |** Fri Nov 20~~ **Class 18: AI + Image |** Fri Nov 27, 1400–1550 **Class 19: AI + Body |** Wed Dec 02, 1400–1550 **Class 20: AI Risk |** Fri Dec 04, 1400–1550 **Class 21: Tutorial |** Fri Dec 11, 1400–1550 **Class 22: Tutorial |** Wed Dec 16, 1400–1550 **Class 23: Tutorial |** Fri Dec 18, 1400–1550 **Class 24: Final Review |** Fri Dec 25, 1400–1550 * *Final posters and Slides submission* ## Important Deadlines * **Week 03**: Team formation and individual assignment submission. Exact date, time and submission channel are to be confirmed. * **Week 08, Friday**: Interim review. Required deliverables and submission time are to be confirmed. * **Week 16**: Final poster and slides submission; final review is listed on Friday. The brief requires two posters. Exact submission date, time and channel are to be confirmed. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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