Modern Robotics
Mechanics, Planning, and Control

Since you are in your third year in Mechancial Engineering, i would assume that stuff like Linear Algebra and Differential Equations are known to you, at least the basics of it. If you feel you need revision for either of those., MIT OCW should take care of it. I would say that LA is more used in Robotics so give it more importance than DiffEq.

Since you want to know more about Planning and Control, I would really suggest the specialization on Coursera called Modern Robotics. I did this course personally and would suggest you do the same. It focuses more on the robotic manipulation side of things (robotic arms and mobile robots), but the concepts are transferable to any robotic system you want. This course is also based on the Modern Robotics textbook (that you mentioned) and uses Python/MATLAB for the assignments. Apply for financial aid for all 6 of those courses and you will have a strong background to read more advanced textbooks and research papers.

If you want to dive deep into Control Systems then, Control Bootcamp by Steve Brunton is the best place to start learning it (In fact since you are a MechE also check out his other playlists. His channel is a goldmine).

As for planning even though most of the introduction concepts are covered in Modern Robotics, you can look up Computational Motion Planning on Coursera for additional info (although iirc the only new concept in CMP is Artificial Potential Fields.)

While I understand this post was for the pre-requisites, what I feel is there is no such strong background knowledge required. Textbooks are usually not written in a friendly manner many times and a certain topic may feel difficult cause of it. If you encounter some terms you don't know, Google it to understand, and get the feel for it.

Hope this helps. Do ask if you need any more help.

Source: Final Year MechE considering a PhD in Robotics.

Option 1: This will cover almost everything you need to know: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics

Option 2: If you don't know anything at all start with Peter Corke's book or videos. Then go for Stanford's CS223A. Then compare your the missing topics from option 1 and learn them separately.

One you feel confident with all these go with Russ Tedrake's underactuated robotics. You will surprise yourself and will have fun of your life.

Never rely on one source for learning anything.

[Q] Robotic projects for a sophomore

Hello engineers of Reddit, I'm a sophomore major in mechatronics. Recently I took a Specialization in Modern Robotics from Coursera (an online learning platform) and have just finished the first course. What I learned from the course was amazing, so I want to dive deeper into robotics with tons of projects. My question is how did you start your first project and which projects should I take to understand the fundamentals of robotics?

Hello!

I'm currently working through the Modern Robotics Course Specialization link offered by Northwestern University on Coursera, which goes through topics like inverse kinematics, inverse dynamics, virtual potential fields, and other robot control principles on a pretty deep level and actually has you implement then in CoppeliaSim (a V-REP succesor).

I was wondering if this would actually help me pursue robotics as an internship or similar job as it is just a Coursera certification albeit a very intense one.

If it isn't, what are your suggestions for pursuing robotics as a career; should I try to continue with these theoretical courses and certifications or should I try to create actual robots as personal projects?

Thanks in advance!

I recently did this Coursera course : https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics

I must warn you, it's fairly heavy on the math. I had to relearn my matrix algebra from a decade ago. But if you make it through to the final module, the capstone project is a worthy goal. If you seriously apply yourself to programming the projects properly, will definitely improve your programming skills.

Thanks tumbleweed_91 ,

I just realized something after looking through the curriculum of various robotics programs including the ones mentioned.

Although they have courses in computer ,mechanical electrical and computers science . The main part is the computer science aspect of robotics .

So that would require I good command of c++ and python . One could try to learn these languages during the masters , but the learning curve would be larger for some one coming from a mechanical background . I know a little pythons but not enough to apply it at masters level.

I have decided the best thing would be to give myself enough time to become proficient at c++ and python and also take some robotics courses in parallel.

There is one specialization by Dr Kevin lynch on coursera https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics

Thanks

Thanks. How is the textbook "Modern Robotics : Mechanics, Planning and Control" and the accompanying Coursera specialization https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics ? I am leaning towards this because it seems to be quite comprehensive. The budget is 5000 to 10000 USD.

I think all courses on coursera are free to audit (no graded homework or feedback and no certificate).

Here's an example of a class you might be interested in: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/embedding-sensors-motors

Khan academy also has a lot of basic videos on circuits that you should definitely understand.

This one is more advanced but also looks good https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics

Suggestions on Online Robotics Courses :

I'm a recent grad from India with Mech engg as major; currently working in a automotive company and changing my domain to robotics. I am currently applying to Masters programs and considering I still have \~6-7 months, I decided to do some online robotics course to strengthen my core understanding in various concepts.

I was decently exposed to robotics during my undergrad study. I'm accustomed with arduino and various sensors, some R-pi. Built quadcopters, RC cars and a few obstacle avoidance bots & the like. Honors in AM(which i think is relevant). I always used to build bots with my friend, who took care of the electronic aspect of the bot with me on the mech aspect. But I have no idea on Planning, control or ML/AI. I only know Python at a beginner level.

So, I was looking at courses which will help build an understanding so that I'm not a total stranger to these concepts during my grad studies. I noticed that FAQ page mentions a Robotics course by PennX in edX, but that is currently unavailable. I shortlisted two courses from coursera, one by UPenn and other by Northwestern Univ. But am unable to decide between the two. Which one would you suggest for me? Also, could you please suggest any other courses that you know of.

I tried to post, but was removed by automod. I hope this belongs here?

[self crosspost from r/AskEngineers]

Long story short, I have a bachelor's in mechanical engineering and I'd like to steer my ME career towards Robotics, Automation, and the sort by doing a Master's. Before I do that though, I'd like to take some extra courses to:

a) Get a taste of what studying Robotics is like,

b) Brush up on relevant knowledge, like body motion dynamics and Linear/Non-Linear Control, and

c) Make my CV stand out, if only a little more

I've reduced my choices to two Coursera specializations:

Robotics - University of Pennsylvania

Modern Robotics - Northwestern University

Considering the topics they touch, which of these two do you think would be more relevant for my situation?

For starters, I'd prefer working on a linux system. Maybe try learning how to install and use a Linux operating system: - https://ubuntu.com/

This might be a bit too difficult for high school, but: - https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics (perhaps gloss over the lessons and look at the cool stuff you'll be getting into... it may look daunting, but it's really fun stuff once you understand it)

Learning to code is a good start. Python is a pretty easy language and can be used for creating raspberry pi projects, interfacing sensors to an embedded system, controlling motors, etc - https://www.python.org/downloads/ - https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html

Another thing to look into is ROS (robotic operating system): - https://www.ros.org/ - http://wiki.ros.org/ (the beginning tutorials, like turtlesim is a fun way to visualize how the system works)

Also, take a look at the First Robotics program. Great way to get some first-hand experience

I did my Ph.D. very recently in robotics, and these are my thoughts.

ROS/Gazebo/etc is always very helpful to learn, but if you're going for fundamentals of robotics there are two textbooks that would be great to go through.

This one by Lynch:

https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Robotics-Mechanics-Planning-Control/dp/1107156300

This one by Sciliano:

https://www.amazon.com/Robotics-Modelling-Planning-Textbooks-Processing/dp/1846286417

Both of these books take a similar approach with different notations that would really cover all the basics and then some. Practice problems are included in the Lynch book. There is also a course linked with the Lynch book that also has a Coursera course, and is taught at Northwestern that's helpful for additional explanations:

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/modernrobotics

The Sciliano book, goes through basic kinematics, statics, dynamics, and basic robot control principles and designs, some basic motion planning, and mobile robotics.

This is good stuff, aka the stuff they teach in graduate school right now across the globe.