Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - CMPT 983 G200

Special Topics in Artificial Intelligence (3)

Class Number: 5507

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

This graduate-level seminar course introduces multi-robot planning and coordination, integrating AI and robotics perspectives. Key topics include cooperative task planning, path/motion planning, learning-based coordination, and coordination under uncertainty. A primary focus is on advanced Multi-Agent Path Finding algorithms that can coordinate hundreds of robots with strong theoretical guarantees. Real-world applications, such as warehouse robot coordination, are also explored.

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, students are expected to have a working knowledge of algorithms and informed search techniques (such as A*). Basic familiarity with robotics concepts will be helpful.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course combines lectures, research paper presentations, discussions, and project work. Primarily conducted in a seminar format, it surveys key challenges and methods in multi-robot planning and coordination. Beyond technical knowledge, the course aims to enhance the critical thinking and communication skills of students through active discussions, presentations, and report writing.

Grading

NOTES:

To be discussed in the first week of class.
This course has a final project.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.