Robotics is a vast growing profession, many industries and even individuals engage in its application as it enhances work efficiency. Technology has made it possible for humans to work efficiently without thinking about the workload that comes with it.
It’s safe to say that Robotics is the future as technology advances. Moreover, we have come across robots and use them in our affairs.
Robots can be designed in different forms to suit their expected work function. We see them in different organizations, healthcare sectors, Restaurants, factories, warehouses, etc. Some are designed just exactly like humans sometimes for companionship. Professionals in this field are well-skilled and undergo the necessary educational qualities to qualify for the profession.
If you’re interested in a different engineering field other than the most common engineering professions, then you might want to delve into Robotic engineering. Here’s a complete article to give you good insights into robotics.
Table of Contents
What Is Robotics?
Robotics is the study of robots. It involves the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and use of robots to serve as helping tools to humans in our daily affairs. These robots perform several activities in different environments regardless of the toxicity of the environment. Some may function in space, underwater, and in high heat.
Depending on their expected work environment, Robots are designed in different forms for easy adaptation by humans. They may be able to do certain features like humans such as walking, talking, lifting objects, and many more. However, robots have three major similarities irrespective of their form and function. These include mechanical construction, Electrical Aspects, and Computer programming.
All robots are constructed mechanically in form for their potential job role. This aspect is influenced by the designer or manufacturer by creating a suitable work form for the robot. Undoubtedly, the functionality of a robot depends on electricity to power its system. Batteries inbuilt or detachable are provided to help power the systems of the robot which helps to enhance the mobility, sensory, and operational parts of the robot.
Computer programming is arriving force that indicates the ‘When and How” functionality of the robot. Most robots are programmed by remote control, artificial intelligence, and Hybrid.
Types of Robots
- Articulated Robots
- Cobots
- Hybrid Robots
- Autonomous Mobile Robot
Articulated Robots
Also known as Robotic arms is a type of robot that is designed to emulate the performance of the human hand. It is built just exactly like the human hand. They are commonly used in factories and warehouses to carry out tasks such as packaging, sorting, and storage. They are the common type of robots.
Cobots
This is another type of robotics that is designed to function alongside humans. They help to accomplish activities by working closely with humans, they may either respond to or learn from human activities. Also, they are used to execute hazardous tasks.
Hybrids
This involves the combination of various types of robots to perform or carry out a particularly complex task. The complexity of the task influences the number of robots combined for the job.
Autonomous Mobile Robot
These sets of robots use an integrated set of sensors, AI, and machine learning to interpret and navigate through their environment. They are used in all sectors for operational efficiency.
Pros and Cons of Robots
Pros
- Increase Efficiency: Robots enhance work efficiency and productivity. With robots, work productivity rises 20 times more than actual work performance.
- Work Duration: Most jobs are tedious and humans break out from being tired and stressed. Robots work continuously without breaking out. The duration at which tasks are executed increases.
- Work Environment: Some task tends to be too hazardous for humans hence the need for robots to fill out the void. Robots can work in diverse environments irrespective of their hazardous nature.
Cons
- Cost of Maintenance: Robots require a lot of power to function thereby incurring a high cost of maintenance. The application of the software is also a basic factor that influences the cost.
- Unemployment: Robots have no doubt eased our lifestyle but have affected the jobs of many by causing unemployment. The need for a human workforce is no longer needed.
- Dangerous: Robots can be dangerous to humans when they malfunction. They break down and sometimes come outdated.
Robotic Requirements
The demand for robotic engineers continues to rise over the years as technology advances and the use of robots increases. Robotic engineers develop and maintain robots for effective operations. Becoming a robotic engineer requires certain skills and academic qualifications.
Here are some of the required skills needed as a robotic engineer.
- Programming: Robotic engineers must have a good understanding of programming.
- Creative Thinking: Robotics engineers design and create robots hence they tend to be creative.
- Computer Literate: Software is installed in robots, an essential aspect of robot creation. Robotic engineers should have good knowledge of computers and how to install software. They test run software installed to determine the functionality of robots in different environments.
Guide to becoming a Robotic Engineer
If you seek to become a robotics engineer here are a few guides to help you.
- Obtain a degree
- Get Practical Experience
- Earn Certification
Obtain a Degree
The first step to becoming a robotic engineer is getting a bachelor’s degree. There are various colleges and online platforms such as Edx, Coursera, Udemy, etc that can help in providing a profound knowledge of the profession. You may need to also obtain an advanced degree if you wish.
Get Practical Experience
After obtaining a degree, getting practical experience is essential. It helps in building your skills and you can also gain experience through voluntary service or internships.
Earn Certification
Certifications increase your chances of getting a good-paying job. It shows credibility and set you apart from other job applicants to potential employers.
Robotic Engineering Courses
Here are the top 6 most essential robotic courses
- Robotics: Aerial Robotics
- Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and control
- Introduction to Robotics
- Robotic: Perception
- IBM Applied AI
- Introduction to Self-Driving Cars.
#1. Robotics: Aerial Robotics
This course is offered by the University of Pennsylvania. It focuses on educating entitled students on the introduction to flight mechanics. How to design and control flying robots such as Drones. Students should know about some mathematical topics like algebra, calculus, and equations for better assimilation.
#2. Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control
In this course, students will learn the know-how of programming and gain practice experience by using robot manipulators. The technique and tools needed in analyzing, planning, and controlling robots will also be discussed in this course. If you’re interested in this profession then this course is right for you. At the end of the course, students are given certificates.
#3. Introduction to Robotics
This introductory course is all about designing every aspect of the robot. It buttresses the concepts of robots, their perception, their movements, and how they navigate their environment. The application of robots in various industries in the execution g complex tasks.
#4. Robotics: Perception
Robots just like humans have a perception of their environment and this course educates students on how images and videos installed are transformed into features. These features help robots in having a better experience of their surroundings. This course is more about feature extraction.
#5. IBM Applied AI
This is also an interesting and essential course for robotic engineers. It teaches students about the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and how it can be applied. Various techniques will be discussed in this course and students will by the end of the course be able to build AI-powered machines.
#6. Self Driving Cars
If you’ve ever wondered about the mechanism behind self-driving cars such as Tesla, BMW X7, Nissan Rouge, etc then this course is the best fit for you. While going through this course, you will be taught the components of a self-driving car, and the various equipment used in production. Most car industries use software stacks for production and the best part of this course students will be able to build their self-driving software stack at the end of the course.
Robotic Engineering Jobs
Here is a list of 10 Robotic engineering jobsÂ
- Robotics Field Service Technician
- Robotics Applications Engineer
- Deployment Robotics Engineer
- Robotics Instructor
- Robotic Programming Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Robot Behavior Coordination Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Robot Visual Engineer
How much do Robotic Engineers Earn
- Estimated annual salary: $145,640
With the consistent growth in technology and robots distributed in every aspect of the globe, the demand for robotic engineers increases. The duties of a robotic engineer entail lots of functions from designing to creation to programming and maintenance. This is an interesting but demanding career.
Robotic engineers earn good pay although this varies depending on their location, experience, and qualification. The salary for those with a Master’s degree is a lot higher than those with a bachelor’s degree.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Robotic engineering course take
A robotic engineering course takes approximately 3-6 years. Although online platforms takes shorter time to finish up.
What are the major fields of Robotics
The major fields of Robotics include the following Operator interface Mobility or locomotion Manipulators & Effectors Programming Sensing & Perception
Are Robotics and Artificial Intelligence the same?
No, they are not. Robotics is all about designing and creating robots, Artificial intelligence entails how the systems of a robot are programmed to function
Are Robotic engineers high in demand?
As technology advances, the production and use of robots increases. This entails a high employment prospect for professionals in this field.
Can Robotics engineering be learnt online?
Of course. There are various online learning platforms that offers courses on Robotics.
Conclusion
As Robotics rapidly becomes a part of us globally, the demand for robotic engineer increases. With all you have read from this article, delving into a robotic career shouldn’t be a hassle. Although, have to be passionate about the career and be interested in electronics, programming, and mechanics as robots are highly technical and difficult to create before beginning your engineering journey.