OMSCS Seminar: Physical AI - Embodied Intelligence and Real-World Interaction

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Requirements & Materials
Overview

OMSCS Seminar: Physical AI - Embodied Intelligence and Real-World Interaction

Course Description

This advanced online graduate seminar explores the emerging field of Physical AI, where artificial intelligence systems are embodied in physical agents that perceive, reason, and interact with the real world. Learners will examine the intersection of robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and control theory to understand how AI systems can operate effectively in unstructured, dynamic environments. The course covers foundational concepts, current research challenges, and practical applications spanning humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, manipulation systems, and beyond.

Course Content

Participants will gain deep insights into the unique challenges of deploying AI in physical systems through a combination of paper discussions, guest lectures from industry and academia, and hands-on projects. These challenges include real-time constraints, safety considerations, multimodal perception, and the integration of learning with classical control approaches. 

  • Weeks 1 – 4: Foundations, hardware platforms, perception, and embodied reasoning
  • Weeks 5 – 8: Learning from demonstration, foundation models, manipulation, locomotion
  • Weeks 9 – 12: Safety, real-time systems, simulation/digital twins, multi-agent systems
  • Weeks 13 – 16: Ethical implications, student project presentations, synthesis, and future trends
  • Assessments: paper reviews, participation, projects, peer reviews
Requirements & Materials

Prerequisites

REQUIRED:

  • Background in machine learning, linear algebra knowledge, and programing proficiency

Who Should Attend

This seminar is designed for OMSCS students and alumni who are interested in Physical AI or researchers interested in embodied AI, robotics, and edge AI. It is also beneficial for practitioners exploring the deployment of AI systems in physical, real-world contexts.

Computer science students coding on computers

What You Will Learn

  • Analysis of differences between digital AI and Physical AI systems
  • Evaluation of embodied perception, planning, and control approaches
  • Critical assessment of Physical AI research
  • Safety, reliability, and real-time constraints
  • Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson and simulation platforms
  • Edge AI solution design and implementation for robotics applications
  • Development and presentation of Physical AI research proposals 
Female professional in computer science lab looking at tablet

How You Will Benefit

  • Acquire cutting-edge knowledge of embodied AI research and practice.
  • Build skills with hardware (Jetson Orin, Raspberry Pi, Coral) and simulation (Isaac Sim, Gazebo).
  • Strengthen ability to design and test AI-enabled robotic systems.
  • Gain experience presenting and defending technical ideas in academic and industry settings.
  • Prepare for research or professional careers in robotics, AI, or intelligent systems.
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    Taught by Experts in the Field

TRAIN AT YOUR LOCATION

We enable employers to provide specialized, on-location training on their own timetables. Our world-renowned experts can create unique content that meets your employees' specific needs. We also have the ability to deliver courses via web conferencing or on-demand online videos. For 15 or more students, it is more cost-effective for us to come to you.

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  • Flexible Schedule
  • Group Training
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  • On-Site Training
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