Introducing Robotics: Making Robots Move

Making robots move requires mathematical knowledge and programming skills. In this course, we get started on the problem of describing where things are in the world. We’ll start simply and consider the case of objects in a two-dimensional plane. We’ll then dive into control theory and begin to model dynamic systems including the electric motors and gearboxes that go into a robot. The skills you learn and the tools we use will be essential for completing the practical MATLAB exercises. Get to grips with knowing where things are To know where things are in two-dimensional space, you’ll need to understand the concepts of position, pose, rotation and translation. You’ll also see examples of different types of robots and learn how to set their task and configuration. Learn the principles of kinematics We’re concerned with making robots move, which means learning the principles of kinematics – the motion of a body or bodies. You’ll program forward kinematics equations in MATLAB and learn different approaches to inverse kinematics. Understand robot motion and joint control You’ll dive into joint control theory and learn to model dynamic systems including electric motors and gearboxes. You’ll also try practical MATLAB exercises to test your knowledge. Continue learning with the Introducing Robotics Program This course is number two of three in the Introducing Robotics Program from Queensland University of Technology that will help you gain the robotics skills that are needed today and in the future.