Introducing Robotics

Build your robot arm: Configuration and design: Move and test your robot arm: Assess your robot (optional): Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This project is an exciting opportunity to apply mathematical, algorithmic and control principles of robot arm manipulators, so you’ll need to understand these principles before starting. This includes concepts from advanced high-school mathematics or engineering, especially analytic geometry and linear algebra. That is, you need to know about points, vectors, matrices, matrix-vector and matrix-matrix multiplication and linear transformations. You’ll find the prerequisite knowledge and skills to build your robot in Introducing Robotics: Making Robots Move . Enrol now to check that you’re familiar with the concepts. If you wish to build a robot arm, you will need access to robotic kits or components. Before you buy any equipment, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss different build options with your peers and the teaching team. If you’re not able to source equipment though, you can still learn the build principles in this course. You can use the hashtag #FLrobotarm to talk about this course on social media.

• Sourcing the equipment
• Connecting to the brick
• Moving the motors
• Braking modes
• Joint types
• Key design decisions
• Connecting structure and gears
• Robot design tips
• Developing kinematics equations in MATLAB
• Moving your robot to a point
• Joint movement
• Improving movement performance
• Filming your robot arm
• Submitting your video for peer assessment
• Assessing other learners’ videos