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.

Duration: 10 weeks · ~13–15 hours per week

Get in Touch →

Who This Program Is For

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

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

Total commitment: ~13–15 hours per week

Prerequisites

Basic programming concepts
Data structures & algorithms basics
Introductory electric machines & motor drives
CAD or parametric modeling (recommended)

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

Assessment Breakdown

Homework and programming assignments	50%
Exams	25%
Final capstone project	25%

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 aid, and employer partnerships.

Get in Touch