[Computer Science in the UK]: Are Robots Truly "Intelligent" and "Smart"?

Computers are definitely not a novelty in today's digital society, especially with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the use of computers and the internet for everyday work, consumption, and entertainment. With the continuous development of technology, universities in the UK, as pioneers in popularising computer technology and knowledge, have incorporated various emerging fields into their traditional computer science curricula. In addition to common areas such as computer game programming, artificial intelligence, and network security, there is a growing topic that has sparked discussions: Robotics.

A TV drama series featuring intelligent robots recently ignited a wave of discussions on robots, computer science, and artificial intelligence. Nowadays, intelligent machines are used in various daily operations, such as large shopping malls, hotel cleaning, room service, as well as high-risk tasks like bomb disposal and minimally invasive surgery. However, robots have been around since the 16th century, evolving from steam-powered "machines" to those powered by electricity and even artificial intelligence. Today's robots rely heavily on computer programming. This trend has not only led many UK universities to establish a new discipline called Robotic Engineering but has also influenced some computer science colleges to include units related to robot programming as key elective subjects in their curricula.

Popular Subject in UK Universities: Computer Science

Reshaping Human Behavior and Intelligence through Computer Science

Modern robots, both in terms of behaviour and movement, can rival humans. Their every action and movement are driven by instructions, just like humans receive commands from their brains. The "brains" of robots, however, are driven by computer programs and related coding. Therefore, computer science courses place considerable emphasis on learning digital programming and data algorithms to help students better understand the design source of robot "movements" and create actions that closely match human motion patterns. Apart from robots, fields such as web design, network security, and game development all rely on programming and data coding for operation and have their significant roles.

With technological advancements, humans not only seek to replicate human-like movements in robots but also desire to imbue them with "intelligence" comparable to humans. However, directly copying human thinking patterns onto robots would make their decision-making and execution of instructions appear clumsy. This is where the development of artificial intelligence comes in. Artificial intelligence aims to integrate human thinking and cognitive methods into computer programs, emphasising the need for systems to possess perception and cognition abilities – the ability to self-awareness, independent analysis, and prediction. As a progressive discipline, artificial intelligence has become an indispensable elective subject in computer science curricula. As AI continues to advance, its applications will extend to various aspects of daily life, including communication, transportation, and entertainment, such as self-driving cars and AI-powered strategic games like Go.

Computer Science: Researching Intelligence through Specialized Laboratories

In order to stay at the forefront of teaching, universities need to upgrade their teaching hardware. Setting up computer laboratories is necessary, but it is equally important to establish independent research facilities related to the field. For example, the University of Essex, which is consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK, has invested over £20 million in facilities for students studying computer science, robotic engineering, and related disciplines. Since 2020, the university has established several functional laboratories, allowing students to actively participate in different research projects using cutting-edge technology. Some of these labs include:

➨ Brain-Computer Interfaces Laboratory

• This lab uses various electronic instruments to simulate the process of human brain neural transmission, assisting in the development of intelligent mechanical tools with different functions.

➨  Embedded and Intelligent Systems Laboratory

• This lab researches the compatibility of intelligent systems with different electronic platforms/carriers, aiming to integrate them into various fields such as daily life

➨ Robotics Laboratory

• The Robotics Laboratory is a nine-metre high facility spanning over 100 square metres, capable of accommodating up to 50 types of intelligent product designs. The laboratory is equipped with the VICON optical tracking system, featuring 24 wide-angle infrared cameras that accurately capture the behaviour and motion of mechanical devices.

Leading students in the industry with comprehensive year-end reports

Unlike traditional research-oriented universities that focus solely on academic research, the University of Essex emphasises both students' academic research and their employability, particularly in acquiring leading skills relevant to the industry. Most students participate in the Capstone Project, an annual final project report in their last year of the program. The report is prepared by department lecturers or relevant companies, who provide real-world topics for students to integrate their course knowledge with research findings and present them to lecturers or industry representatives. The related research outcomes are also shared with the public during the university's Project Open Day, which enhances students' understanding of the latest developments in the computer industry.

In addition, the university has an assistance group called Essex Startups, which supports students and graduates interested in entrepreneurship. Through activities such as boot camps, exchange days, one-on-one video consultations, and fundraising, the group helps aspiring entrepreneurs understand the latest developments in the industry and assists them in realising their entrepreneurial ambitions.

All relevant courses under the Computer and Electronic Engineering School at Essex University have obtained accreditation from the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), providing professional recognition for students' qualifications.