Walk-in with coffee & tea

Introduction by Joost Broekens

Black-box optimization using evolutionary algorithms

There are numerous methods for the optimization of a function. For some well-behaved functions this can be done analytically, but in fields like robotics we are not often dealing with well-behaved functions. In this short lecture, we will look at black-box optimization, in which the gradient of the function is not known, and solve this using two different methods: the simplex method and an evolutionary algorithm.

By Roy de Kleijn

Q&A

First time programming in Python

In this trial lecture you will program in Python for the first time. You will receive a short lecture in which the basics of Python are explained and a number of small puzzles are explained to you. We will then put this knowledge into practice in the computer room. You can learn programming by practicing a lot. If you get through this lecture well, you will even be able to continue practicing this at home.

By Jan van Rijn