robot_control

@Adamah: Thanks for the idea. Though it will work in CMU, GATech, and UMich (and if I get into both, I'll choose CS except at CMU), what about other places? I can't put all my eggs in three baskets right. Stanford CS seems a very long shot (should get into MS though, but not interested) and I'll need to go through the CS program in UPenn too. Can you suggest some places good in AI, but lenient to non-CS applications? Any comments on Cornell, USC, and UMass wrt to AI/robotics? Thanks

Hi, I am not sure if it is worth reopening this post, but I'll give it a shot anyway. I am planning on applying to the GATech robotics program, and was hoping some of you guys can give me a good perspective since you have been there for sometime. @closetgeek: What you have said here worries me a bit. I have a BS in "systems engineering" which is basically EE (signals & systems) - circuits + AI. So I am much more into the computing and intelligent aspects than hardware. As a middle ground, I am happy with control systems. As typical with a large fraction of robotics aspirants, I don't have much of a background in CS. Would you advise GATech for me? I'm not very confident of a CS admit, but don't want to be stuck with hardware in robotics. Please help. For a more detailed undergrad background, kindly see this post: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/68622-possible-to-shift-from-general-engineering-to-aics-or-robotics-phd/

@Adamah: My main dilemma is with getting admission, passing quals, and trying to align my research interests at the same time. I now have a choice between CS, ECE, and robotics. I am a bit worried about post PhD outcomes of robotics PhD (CMU RI is obviously on a different level, not so sure about others). Even if I apply to ECE, I would pretty much want to pursue a CS curriculum and work with CS faculty. Not sure how this would fly with the department. As you said, I can't do much now. What do you suggest? Apply to CS, EE, or robotics? For example, UMich also has a stand alone robotics program. The coursework interests me, and I have decent access to CS faculty. But in terms of prestige, I would consider it much lower than their CS program. Post PhD, I would want to work at places like AI2, Google (self driving cars), PARC etc. Not sure where a robotics PhD from recently established programs would lead me. Any suggestions?

Hi, I am a prospective PhD student for Fall 2016. I am trying to get into CS PhD programs with AI focus, or into stand alone robotics programs. I would also be OK with ECE programs that have AI/robotics faculty. My dilemma is primarily regarding which major to pick, since different universities have robotics research in different departments. Research Interests: AI planning, control systems, optimization, and machine learning. I am also interested in multi-agent systems. Background: "General" Engineering. It's a peculiar program, highly interdisciplinary drawing from multiple fields. The closest to a US program I was able to find is a program at UIUC with the same title. It's a mix between ECE (primary), IE/OR, ME, and some CS (practical) thrown in. Some places might call the same program as "systems engineering". Courses CS (core): Data structures and algorithms, theory of computationAI (core): Intro to AI, AI planning, ML, data miningIntelligent Systems: adaptive and optimal control, detection and estimation (mostly about Kalman filters, particle filters, EM), data-driven control (neural nets in control, reinforcement learning).Math: convex optimization, graph theory, operations research, probability theory (measure theoretic), statistical inference, linear algebra (multiple), numerical methods (multiple)My dilema: I don't really have the breadth most CS undergrads have, so I am worried about shooting for CS programs, though I feel very well prepared as far as AI goes. Similar is the scenario with ECE programs – I don't have background in power systems, communication or circuits. I have taken a few courses on kinematics, dynamics etc. but still not well prepared for an ME program. Also, I am not too interested in the coursework and research work on the ME side of robotics. I feel my best bet is to apply for stand alone robotics programs, but there appears to be only 2 as per my knowledge – CMU and GATech. Any advice on how to proceed? I would ideally like to do it in CS, second option would be a stand alone robotics program, and EE afterwards. Are you aware of students with similar background getting into CS programs? Places I am looking at: CMU (RI), Stanford (CS), GATech (robotics), UPenn (GRASP), UMich (CSE). Misc: I have decent research experience in AI and control, but not in the context of robotics (well, can be considered close to multi-agent robotics FWIW). It may not get published by December though, but I am confident of good LORs since my advisers seem to think it is very good publishable work. My GPA can be considered 3.85-3.95 (my school uses a different scale).