Introduction to Robotics

Foundations of Robotics

Robotics is the intersection of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer science. Modern robotics focuses on autonomy — the ability of a machine to sense its environment and make decisions.

Components of a Robot

  • Sensors: LiDAR, Vision (depth cameras), and IMUs.
  • Actuators: Brushless DC motors, servos, and steppers.
  • Compute: JETSON, Raspberry Pi, or dedicated FPGAs for real-time control.

Software Frameworks

ROS 2 (Robot Operating System)

ROS 2 is the industry standard for building robotic applications, providing middleware for communication between different parts of the system (nodes).