Courses
There are three tracks. Each one builds on the one before it. The Beginner track is running now. Intermediate and Advanced are being planned.
A small fee is charged for each track. It goes towards keeping the lab running, the machines maintained and the parts stocked. No volunteer takes anything from it. Ask us for the current amount when you apply.
Beginner Running now
Eight classes that teach AI through practice rather than theory. It starts at zero. By the end you will have spoken to an AI, trained a machine learning model, wired a working circuit, and built your own small piece of software by describing it in plain words.
- Total hours 50
- Weekend classes 8 × 3 hours
- Weekday practice 13 × 2 hours
- Batch size 15 learners
- Runs over About 4 to 5 weeks
- You need Nothing at all
See what each of the eight classes covers
Intermediate Planned
Deeper work with AI and data, an introduction to Raspberry Pi projects, combining Arduino sensors, and building more involved tools with AI helping you write them. This track is designed and documented. It has not started yet.
- Total hours 70
- Weekend classes 10 × 3 hours
- Weekday practice 20 × 2 hours
- Batch size 15 learners
- Runs over About 5 to 7 weeks
- You need Beginner, or the same knowledge
Advanced Planned
Training your own models, smart device projects over the internet, designing and building robots, and working with APIs. This track will open once enough learners have finished Intermediate.
- Total hours 85
- Weekend classes 15 × 3 hours
- Weekday practice 20 × 2 hours
- Batch size 15 learners
- Runs over About 8 to 10 weeks
- You need Intermediate
How a batch works
Weekend classes
Saturdays and Sundays, three hours each. The whole batch of fifteen sits together and the class is taught on the 65-inch screen. Each session has two parts. First the core idea for the day, for about fifty minutes. Then guided practice for the rest of the time, where faster learners get harder tasks and anyone who needs more time gets it.
Weekday practice
Two-hour slots in the lab during the week. You book the slot that suits you. Up to five learners at a time, one at each workstation, working through the tasks set at the last weekend class. Somebody is always there to help if you get stuck.
Your certificate
A certificate of completion is issued in the name of the Swami Pranavananda AI & Robotics Lab. To earn it you need all three of these.
- Attend at least six of the eight weekend classes
- Complete all thirteen weekday practice sessions
- Pass the final assessment, which is half written and half practical, at fifty per cent or above
If you do not pass the first time you may take the assessment once more, within two weeks, at no extra cost.
Paying
The fee is payable when you enrol. The lab accepts UPI, cash and cheque, and a receipt is issued at the time of payment.