Unit 4: Probability and Planning

State Estimation

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Session Overview

Diagram of robot estimating its distance from the wall.

In the last session, we introduced probability and the basic tools to interact with probability distributions. We use probability to model degrees of belief, so that we can build systems that are robust in the face of uncertainty.

In this session, we focus on state estimation. We’ll use state estimation to estimate the location of a robot in a hallway, and use it to localize a robot. Later we’ll be able to localize and map at the same time.

The overview handout provides a more detailed introduction, including the big ideas of the session, key vocabulary, what you should understand (theory) and be able to do (practice) after completing this session, and additional resources.

Session Content

Readings

Read sections 7.5-7.8 of the course notes.

Recitation Video

These videos have been developed for OCW Scholar, and are designed to supplement the lecture videos.

Session Activities

The problems in the tables below are taken from the 6.01 Online Tutor, an interactive environment that is not available on OCW. Do not try to answer these questions in the PDF files; answers will not be checked, and cannot be submitted.

This session contains a design lab from week 11 of the MIT course, and a software lab from week 12.

Design Lab

PROBLEM # QUESTIONS
11.1.1 Observation models (PDF)
11.1.2 Transition models (PDF)
11.1.4 Simulating hallways (PDF)
11.1.5 Simulating hallways: the noisy-noisy case (PDF)
11.1.6 Sonar hit (PDF)
11.1.7 Ideal sonar readings (PDF)

Software Lab

PROBLEM # QUESTIONS
12.2.1 Stochastic state machines (PDF)
12.2.2 Faster state estimation (PDF)
12.2.3 Localization (PDF)

Check Yourself

Nano-Quiz

Nano-quiz problems and solutions are taken from a previous version of the 6.01 Online Tutor. Do not try to answer these questions in the PDF files; answers will not be checked, and cannot be submitted.

Homework

PROBLEM # QUESTIONS
11.2.1 Basic distributions: square (PDF)
11.2.2 Basic distributions: triangle (PDF)
11.2.3 Mixture distribution (PDF)

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