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Robotics

Locomotion Engineering

Dan Koditschek

How do robots climb stairs, traverse shifting sand and navigate through hilly and rocky terrain?

This course, part of the Robotics MicroMasters program, will teach you how to think about complex mobility challenges that arise when robots are deployed in unstructured human and natural environments.

You will learn how to design and program the sequence of energetic interactions that must occur between sensors and mechanical actuators in order to ensure stable mobility. We will expose you to underlying and still actively developing concepts, while providing you with practical examples and projects.

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How do robots climb stairs, traverse shifting sand and navigate through hilly and rocky terrain?

This course, part of the Robotics MicroMasters program, will teach you how to think about complex mobility challenges that arise when robots are deployed in unstructured human and natural environments.

You will learn how to design and program the sequence of energetic interactions that must occur between sensors and mechanical actuators in order to ensure stable mobility. We will expose you to underlying and still actively developing concepts, while providing you with practical examples and projects.

What you'll learn

  • The design and analysis of agile, bioinspired, sensorimotor systems
  • How to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems
  • Ways to utilize simplified models to achieve dynamical mobility tasks
This course is no longer available. Find a similar course by searching these:
unstructured environments robotics micromasters mobile robots bioinspired robots mobile robotics sensorimotor systems

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The design and analysis of agile, bioinspired, sensorimotor systems
  • How to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems
  • Ways to utilize simplified models to achieve dynamical mobility tasks

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops the design and analysis of agile, bioinspired, sensorimotor systems, which is standard in the robotics industry
Taught by Dan Koditschek, who is recognized for their work in robotics
Examines how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems, which is highly relevant to robot mobility
Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials, which can enhance learning
Prerequisites may be required, as the course explicitly advises students to take other courses first

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Career center

Learners who complete Robotics: Locomotion Engineering will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, build, operate, and maintain mechanical systems that perform complex tasks in a wide variety of environments. This course will help Robotics Engineers develop the skills needed to design and analyze agile, bioinspired, sensorimotor systems. The course will also teach students how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems and utilize these models to achieve dynamical mobility tasks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer
Control Systems Engineer
Control Systems Engineers design, build, and maintain systems that control the behavior of machines and other physical systems. This course will help students develop the skills needed to design and analyze control systems for complex dynamic systems. The course will also teach students how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems and utilize these models to achieve desired system behavior.
See salaries and explore the career path for Control Systems Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design, build, and maintain mechanical systems. This course will help Mechanical Engineers develop the skills needed to design and analyze mechanical systems that are capable of performing complex tasks in a wide variety of environments. The course will also teach students how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems and utilize these models to achieve desired system behavior.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, build, and maintain electrical systems. This course will help Electrical Engineers develop the skills needed to design and analyze electrical systems that are capable of powering and controlling complex mechanical systems. The course will also teach students how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems and utilize these models to achieve desired system behavior.
See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer
Computer Engineer
Computer Engineers design, build, and maintain computer systems. This course will help Computer Engineers develop the skills needed to design and analyze computer systems that are capable of controlling complex mechanical systems. The course will also teach students how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems and utilize these models to achieve desired system behavior.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Engineer
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design, build, and maintain complex systems that are composed of multiple interacting components. This course will help Systems Engineers develop the skills needed to design and analyze complex systems that are capable of performing complex tasks in a wide variety of environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, build, and maintain software systems. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who are interested in developing software for controlling complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who are interested in developing data-driven models for controlling complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical models to help businesses make better decisions. This course may be useful for Operations Research Analysts who are interested in developing mathematical models for controlling complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineers design, build, and maintain industrial systems. This course may be useful for Industrial Engineers who are interested in developing industrial systems that are capable of performing complex tasks in a wide variety of environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers design, build, and maintain manufacturing systems. This course may be useful for Manufacturing Engineers who are interested in developing manufacturing systems that are capable of producing complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer
Quality Engineer
Quality Engineers design, build, and maintain quality systems. This course may be useful for Quality Engineers who are interested in developing quality systems for complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer
Safety Engineer
Safety Engineers design, build, and maintain safety systems. This course may be useful for Safety Engineers who are interested in developing safety systems for complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Safety Engineer
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, organize, and execute projects. This course may be useful for Project Managers who are interested in managing projects to develop complex mechanical systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and services. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who are interested in writing documentation for complex mechanical systems. The course will help Technical Writers develop the skills needed to understand the technical details of complex mechanical systems and communicate those details to a non-technical audience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

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Course image
Effort
8 to 10 hours per week for 12 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
University of Pennsylvania
Instructor
Dan Koditschek
Language
English
Transcript
English
Robotics: Locomotion Engineering belongs to the following collections:
  1. Robotics
  2. Artificial Intelligence
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops the design and analysis of agile, bioinspired, sensorimotor systems, which is standard in the robotics industry
Taught by Dan Koditschek, who is recognized for their work in robotics
Examines how to develop simplified models of complex dynamic systems, which is highly relevant to robot mobility
Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials, which can enhance learning
Prerequisites may be required, as the course explicitly advises students to take other courses first
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