Behavioral Design and Fabrication

First Meeting: Wednesday, 20.10.2022, 9:30

The Behavioral Fabrication seminar introduces a new methodology for digital design and fabrication. Contrary to traditional notions of design, behavioral strategies for fabrication are not based on the execution of apriori defined abstract plans, such as detailed digital design models, but are based on the concept of execution of tasks. Tasks represent design intentions and unfold in a non-deterministic way based on the constant interaction of the machine/robot/agent with the material and its environment through sensor-actuator feedback.

This course will introduce the topic of behavioral fabrication and related computational techniques:

• Agent-based Modeling
• Advanced robot programming
• Online robotic control methods
• Methods for sensing, tracking, and mapping

At the core of the research lie the analysis, abstraction, translation and implementation of fabrication-oriented behaviors for the production of physical prototypes. Students are expected to have a high degree of proficiency in computer programming (either in C# or in Python). It is recommended to take this course after having taken Computational Design and Digital Fabrication, also offered by ICD.

Teaching Format

In this semester, we will again combine elements of "asynchronous" and "synchronous" teaching in order to cover the different teaching formats, such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, Q&As, desk crits, and reviews. Lecture contents will be provided "asynchronously" as pre-recorded videos on ILIAS, which means that you can watch and re-watch them at your own pace.

We will have weekly live sessions either in person or via WebEx, where we will discuss the contents, respond to questions, do tutorials, workshops, desk crits, and reviews in "synchronous" mode. In between live sessions, we will be available through Webex Teams, where you can ask specific questions about lectures, assignments, and seminar logistics, etc. Currently, we are also planning on providing "in person" access to the Robolab, provided that the then-valid Corona regulations allow for it. This will mostly be relevant in the second half of the semester.