Notice: CDT503 Final Group Project Instructions

Title: Solving a Real-World Challenge Using Control Systems and AI Overview

For your final group project, you will work together to identify, research, and propose a solution to a real-world problem where control systems and/or artificial intelligence (AI) play a significant role. This project allows you to apply the knowledge gained during the course while developing your teamwork, research, and problem-solving skills.

You will have roughly two months to complete this project, and every group will present their work during the final class. Your grade will be based on both your written report and your presentation.

What You Need to Do

1. Choose a Topic

Each group will choose a real-world problem where control systems and/orAI are applied. You must:

•    Analyze the problem in detail.

•    Research existing methods/technologies used to address it.

• Propose your own improved solution that integrates control systems and AI.

•    Evaluate the feasibility and impact of your solution.

Below are some example topics to guide you. You may also propose your own topic (subject to approval):

Example Topics

Control Systems Projects

1.   Heart Rate Monitor Using Development Board Sensors

o  Utilize the built-in heart rate sensor on the provided microcontroller development board to create a functional monitor.

o  Goal: Successfully read and interpret the relevant circuit diagrams to acquire and process heart rate data.

2.   Infrared Line-Following Car

o  Build and program a line-following car using the microcontroller development board, DC motors, and infrared sensors (subject to component availability).

o  Goal: Implement the core functionality of autonomous infrared-based path tracking.

o Note: Students selecting this topic must also choose a backup project and inform. the instructor in advance.

3. Autonomous Drone Navigation System

o  Design a control system for a drone to navigate obstacles in real-time using GPS and sensors.

o  Goal: Ensure collision avoidance and path optimization.

4. Smart Traffic Signal Control System

o  Develop a system that adjusts traffic light timings to optimize traffic flow based on real-time data.

o  Goal: Reduce congestion and improve emergency vehicle prioritization.

5. Temperature Control System for Greenhouses

o  Create a PID-based system to control temperature and humidity in greenhouses using sensors and actuators.

o  Goal: Maintain optimal conditions for plant growth.

6. PID-Based Home HVAC Control

o  Design a PID controller for a home heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that minimizes energy use.

o  Goal: Achieve a balance between comfort and energy efficiency.

7. Robotic Arm for Assembly Line Automation

o  Build a control system for a robotic arm to perform repetitive assembly tasks with precision.

o  Goal: Ensure smooth operation and error minimization.

Artificial Intelligence Applications Projects

1. AI-Powered Movie Recommendation System

o  Develop a personalized recommendation engine using collaborative filtering and content-based filtering.

o  Goal: Suggest movies based on user preferences and viewing history.

2. Sentiment Analysis of Social Media Posts

o  Use natural language processing (NLP) to analyze the sentiment (positive, negative, neutral) of social media posts.

o  Goal: Understand public opinions on a given topic.

3. AI Chatbot for Customer Support

o  Build a chatbot capable of answering customer queries using NLP and machine learning.

o  Goal: Improve response times and customer satisfaction.

4. AI-Driven Financial Fraud Detection

o  Implement machine learning algorithms to detect fraudulent activities in financial transactions.

o  Goal: Minimize false positives while catching fraud effectively.

5. Emotion Detection from Text Using AI

o  Develop an NLP model to identify emotions (e.g., happiness, anger, sadness) in written texts.

o  Goal: Enable applications such as sentiment tracking or mental health analysis.

6. Real-Time Speech-to-Text for Filmmakers

o  Create a system that transcribes speech in real-time for filmmaking or post- production purposes.

o  Goal: Ensure high accuracy and minimal latency.

7. Image Super-Resolution Using Deep Learning

o  Use convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to enhance the resolution of low- quality images.

o  Goal: Improve image clarity for applications like medical imaging or photography.

8. AI for Predictive Maintenance in Industrial Equipment

o  Design an AI system to predict equipment failures based on sensor data.

o  Goal: Reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

9. AI-Based Fraud Detection in E-Commerce

o  Use machine learning to identify fraudulent transactions in online shopping platforms.

o  Goal: Protect customers and minimize financial losses.

10. Automated Video Editing Tool with AI

o  Develop an AI-powered tool to automate video editing tasks like scene transitions and background music selection.

o  Goal: Simplify editing for content creators.

11. Personal Finance Management App Powered by AI

o Build an AI-driven app that helps users track expenses, create budgets, and plan savings.

o Goal: Promote financial literacy and decision-making.

12. AI for Predicting Consumer Behavior. in Retail

o  Analyze customer purchase data to predict future buying patterns using machine learning.

o  Goal: Help retailers optimize inventory and marketing strategies.

13. AI for Automated Content Moderation

o  Create an AI system to detect and flag inappropriate content (e.g., hate speech, explicit images) on platforms.

o  Goal: Ensure safe and respectful online environments.

14. AI for Film Script. Analysis

o  Build a tool that uses NLP to analyze film scripts for themes, characters, and audience appeal.

o  Goal: Assist filmmakers in refining their scripts.

2. Topic Selection Rule: First Come, First Served

To ensure fair and balanced distribution of research topics, the following process will be used:

1. Topic Limit:

o  Each topic can have a maximum of 3 or 4 groups assigned to it.

o  Once a topic reaches the limit, no additional groups may select that topic.

2. First Come, First Served:

o  Groups must email their topic selection to the class representatives.

o  The class representatives will assign topics based on the order in which requests are received.

o  Groups are encouraged to choose and submit their topic early to secure their preferred choice.

3. Class representatives’ Role:

o  The class representatives will maintain a real-time record of topic selections.

o  The class representatives will confirm with each group whether their topic choice is available or if they need to select a different topic.

o  Once all groups have selected topics, the class representatives will email the finalized list of topic assignments to the instructor for approval.

4. Final Confirmation:

o  After instructor approval, the class representatives will notify all groups of their finalized topics.

3. Deliverables

You must submit two main deliverables: a written report and an oral presentation.

1. Written Report (10 Pages without Annexes or References)

Your final project report must be written using LaTeX (TeXPage / Overleaf) in the IEEEtran style. Below are the requirements and guidelines:

1. Problem Statement (15%)

•     Clearly explain the problem you are addressing.

•    Why is this problem significant?

•    How does it relate to your chosen topic, and how can control systems and/or AI help address it?

2. Current Solutions (20%)

•    Research and describe existing methods or technologies used to solve the problem.

•    Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of these solutions.

•    Provide examples, data, or case studies to support your analysis.

3. Proposed Solution (40%)

•    Present an original or improved solution to the problem, incorporating control systems and/or AI.

•    Include detailed system design or architecture (e.g., block diagrams, flowcharts) to explain how your solution works.

•    Discuss potential challenges or limitations of your proposed solution.

4. Feasibility and Impact (15%)

•    Evaluate the practicality of your solution:

o  What are the costs, resources, or technical challenges involved?

o  What is the potential societal or ethical impact of your solution?

5. References (10%)

•    Include all resources (articles, books, websites, etc.) used for research.

•    Use proper citation format in the bibliography, following the IEEE style.

6. Annexes

•    Follow the guidelines of the IEEE Transactions styles.

•    Include all codes in the annexes if they are too long to be included in the main text.

2. LaTeX Requirements

•    You are required to use LaTeX (TeXPage / Overleaf) for writing your report.

•    Follow the IEEEtran style. for formatting.

Resources to Get Started:

1. https://www.overleaf.com/learn/latex/Learn_LaTeX_in_30_minutes

2. “The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX”:

o English Version

o Chinese Version

3. LaTeX Template:

o  I will upload a LaTeX report template in IEEEtran style to Moodle. Please download it and use it as a starting point.

Submission Guidelines

•    Your report should be written in 10 pages, strictly adhering to the formatting instructions in the template.

•    Ensure professional formatting, a clear structure, and adherence to the IEEE style.

This is a great opportunity to learn LaTeX, a widely used tool in academia and industry. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.

2. Oral Presentation & Q&A Format

All groups of the same topic will present their solutions and engage in a structured Q&A session. A presentation host will coordinate the session to ensure smooth transitions and timing. The presentation order will be generated randomly.

1. Group Research and Preparation

•    Each group (3-4 members) will work on a chosen topic to:

o  Develop a solution (e.g., a working system, prototype, or detailed technical plan).

o  Ensure all members are familiar with the group’s research, as each member will have specific roles during the presentation and Q&A stages.

•    Roles within the group:

o Member 1: Presents the group’s solution clearly and concisely.

o Middle Members (all members except Member 1 and the last member): Participate in the Q&A session by:

Asking specific questions to other groups.

Answering questions from other groups.

o Last Member: Summarizes the group’s overall argument and performance.

2. Presentation Host

•    For each topic, one student must volunteer to take on the role of the presentation host.

o  The host will manage the session, announce each group, and ensure the time limits for presentations (https://www.online-stopwatch.com/countdown/), Q&A, and summaries are followed.

o  The host will also moderate the Q&A session by keeping track of which groups are asking and answering questions.

•    The host will be chosen by previous practice.

•    If no one volunteers to be the host, the instructor will randomly select a student to take on this role.

The host’s responsibilities include:

1. Introducing the Topic: Briefly introduce the topic and its key focus areas.

2. Calling on Groups: Announce each group and their presenting Member 1.

3. Moderating Q&A: Ensure that questions and answers during the Q&A session stay within the time limits.

4. Closing the Session: Thank all groups and transition to the audience evaluation phase.

3. Presentation Stage Format

The presentation session for each topic will proceed as follows:

1. Introduction by the Host (30 Seconds)

o  The host introduces the topic and sets the stage for the presentations.

2. Presentations by Member 1 of Each Group (3 Minutes per Group)

o Member 1 from each group delivers a 3-minute presentation explaining their group’s solution.

o  The presentation should include:

The problem being addressed.

The group’s methodology or proposed solution.

Any technical details, diagrams, or results.

3. Q&A Session (3 Minutes per Group)

o Middle Members (all members except Member 1 and the last member) participate in the Q&A session.

o  During the Q&A:

Each group’s middle members take turns asking and answering questions.

Each question and answer must be concise, with the total Q&A time for the group limited to 3 minutes.

4. Summary by the Last Member (30 Seconds per Group)

o  The final member of each group provides a 30-second summary, highlighting:

Their group’s key strengths.

Reflection on the Q&A session (e.g., how they addressed challenges).

A brief conclusion about their overall solution.

5. Audience Evaluation (30 seconds)

o  After all groups have presented, the audience (students not presenting)

evaluates each group based on the evaluation criteria below.

4. Audience Evaluation

•    The audience will evaluate the performance of each group based on the following criteria:

1. Clarity of Presentation: Was the group’s solution well-articulated and easy to understand?

2. Depth of Research: Did the group demonstrate thorough knowledge and preparation?

3. Strength in Q&A: Were responses to questions clear, logical, and well- supported?

4. Teamwork and Participation:

All group members must actively participate in either the presentation or Q&A stages.

Groups where some members fail to participate will receive a relatively low score on teamwork.

•    The audience will cast votes for the best-performing group, and feedback will be provided to all groups to help them improve.

Audience Voting Instructions

Each audience member, excluding members of all groups working on the same topic as the presenting group(s), will assign one overall score to each presenting group. The score will range from 1 to 10, where:

o 10 indicates the best performance.

o 1 indicates the poorest performance.

Scoring Guidelines

1.   After each group's presentation, eligible audience members will immediately rate the group with a single overall score (1-10).

2.   Scores should be based on the group's overall performance, including:

o  Clarity and logic of the presentation.

o  Understanding and depth of research on the topic.

o  Ability to answer questions effectively.

o  Team participation and overall impression.

3.   Only one overall score is required for each group — no need to break it down into detailed criteria.

Eligibility to Vote

•    Audience members from groups working on the same topic as the presenting group(s) are not allowed to vote to ensure fairness.

•    All other audience members are required to provide scores.

Results and Rankings

•    All scores will be collected and averaged to determine the final score for each group.

•     Groups will be ranked based on their final average scores:

o 1st Place: The group with the highest average score.

o 2nd Place: The group with the second-highest average score.

o 3rd Place: And so on (for topics with more groups).

Notes

•    Every eligible audience member must rate all presenting groups to ensure fairness.

•    Voting will remain anonymous to prevent influence on individual scores.

5. Grading Criteria

1. Written Report (40 Points)

The written report will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

2. Oral Presentation (40 Points)

The oral presentation will be evaluated by the audience

Tips for Success

•    Start early! Don’t wait until the last minute to begin researching or preparing.

•    Divide tasks among group members (e.g., research, report writing, visuals, etc.) to work efficiently.

•    Use visuals (e.g., diagrams, graphs) to clearly explain your ideas in both the report and presentation.

•    Practice your presentation to ensure it fits the 8-minute time limit.