Introduction to Industrial Robotics

A 10-week course on the fundamentals of designing and applying industrial robots — manipulator kinematics, trajectory planning, control systems, end effectors, sensors, programming, and machine vision — combining theory with hands-on, simulation-based projects.

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Key Dates & Details

Next Start Date
July 25, 2026
Duration
10 weeks
Instructional Hours
96 hours
Lecture
Saturday
Office Hours
Tuesday & Thursday evenings
Time Commitment
13.5 hrs/week

Enroll if You Are

  • Senior undergraduate students preparing for implementation and integration of industrial robots
  • Technicians and engineers entering robotics and automation
  • Learners pursuing system integration roles

Weekly Format

  • Live lecture (2 hrs)
  • Hands-on tutorial — simulation-based (1.5 hrs)
  • Office hours (1.5–2 hrs)
  • Weekly homework (~5 hrs)
  • Independent reading, practice & project work (~3.5–5.5 hrs)

Total commitment: 13.5 hours per week

Program Goals

  • Understand the structure and operation of industrial robots
  • Analyze robot kinematics and coordinate systems
  • Develop robot motion and trajectory plans
  • Apply simulation tools to robotic systems

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze robot manipulators using forward and inverse kinematics
  • Define and apply coordinate frames and transformations
  • Develop and simulate robotic work cells
  • Implement trajectory planning and motion control
  • Integrate sensors, actuators, and end-effectors
  • Program robots using offline tools (e.g., ABB RobotStudio)
  • Evaluate robotic system performance and limitations
  • Understand the history and key facts about robots

10-Week Course Schedule

Week 1 — Introduction and Background
Week 2 — Work Zone and Frames
Week 3 — Frame and Homogeneous Transformation
Week 4 — Forward Kinematics
Week 5 — Inverse Kinematics
Week 6 — Path and Trajectory Generation
Week 7 — Workspace Monitoring and Self-collision
Week 8 — Dynamic, Force and Motion Control
Week 9 — Vision System, PLC, and Other Hardware
Week 10 — Robot Programming and Capstone Presentations

Capstone Project

Students design and simulate a robotic work cell to perform a defined task: defining problem objectives and constraints, developing a sequence of operations, designing or selecting an appropriate end-effector, implementing communication or control logic, and building and simulating the system. Deliverables include a simulation model, a live or recorded demonstration, and a final report documenting design decisions and results. Projects are evaluated on functionality and correctness, design quality and feasibility, creativity and innovation, and clarity of presentation.

Tools, Resources & Career Relevance

Recommended tools: access to a CAD tool, ABB RobotStudio, and reliable internet for online lectures. Optional textbooks: Introduction to Robotics: Mechanics and Control (Craig); Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control (Lynch & Park); Introduction to Robotics: Analysis, Control, Applications (Niku). This course prepares students for roles in robotics engineering, automation and systems integration, and smart manufacturing / Industry 4.0 environments.

Enrollment & Next Steps

Get in touch to learn about start dates, financial assistance, and employer partnerships.

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