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Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution

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Nikolaus Correll

Nikolaus Correll

This course, which is the last and final course in the Introduction to Robotics with Webots specialization, will teach you basic approaches for planning robot trajectories and sequence their task execution. In "Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution", you will develop standard algorithms such as Breadth-First Search, Dijkstra's, A* and Rapidly Exploring Random Trees through guided exercises. You will implement Behavior Trees for task sequencing and experiment with a mobile manipulation robot "Tiago Steel".

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This course, which is the last and final course in the Introduction to Robotics with Webots specialization, will teach you basic approaches for planning robot trajectories and sequence their task execution. In "Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution", you will develop standard algorithms such as Breadth-First Search, Dijkstra's, A* and Rapidly Exploring Random Trees through guided exercises. You will implement Behavior Trees for task sequencing and experiment with a mobile manipulation robot "Tiago Steel".

It is recommended that you complete the first and second courses of this specialization, “Introduction to Robotics: Basic Behaviors” and "Robotic Mapping and Trajectory Generation" , before beginning this one.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s MS in Computer Science degrees offered on the Coursera platform. These fully accredited graduate degrees offer targeted courses, short 8-week sessions, and pay-as-you-go tuition. Admission is based on performance in three preliminary courses, not academic history. CU degrees on Coursera are ideal for recent graduates or working professionals. Learn more:

MS in Computer Science: https://coursera.org/degrees/ms-computer-science-boulder

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What's inside

Syllabus

Path Planning

The first week in this course provides an introduction to path planning and presents a series of optimal algorithms for finding the shortest path on a graph that increase in complexity and efficiency. You will be introduced to various algorithms, including Bread-First Search to Dijkstra's and A*.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

May help those with interest in engineering

Teaches algorithms that are standard in the robotics industry

Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials

May require you to purchase additional items and goods

Explicitly advises to take other courses first

May accelerate path toward MS in Computer Science

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Reviews summary

Robotic path planning: algorithms & implementation

According to learners, this course is an excellent conclusion to the robotics specialization, offering thorough coverage of crucial path planning algorithms like A* and RRT, alongside Behavior Trees for task execution. Students frequently highlight the hands-on Webots simulations and the final project with Tiago Steel as particularly valuable for practical application and skill solidification. While the course content is considered highly relevant to real-world robotics, some found the implementation aspects challenging, occasionally requiring significant debugging within the Webots environment. The course is best suited for experienced programmers or those with a solid foundation.

Course complexity requires a strong programming and foundational robotics background.

"Definitely for experienced programmers. The practical application needed more detailed guidance if you're not already proficient."

"Highly recommend for advanced learners. This course truly empowers you to build sophisticated robot behaviors."

"Even having completed the previous courses... the jump in complexity for the assignments felt steep."

Offers valuable hands-on experience through practical exercises and a capstone project.

"The assignments, especially the final project with Tiago Steel, truly solidified my understanding. The hands-on Webots simulations were invaluable."

"This course truly empowers you to build sophisticated robot behaviors. The final project tied everything together brilliantly, allowing me to apply everything learned."

"Exceptional practical course. The hands-on projects reinforced the theoretical concepts perfectly... an excellent portfolio piece."

Delivers strong theoretical foundations in key robotics algorithms.

"The lectures on A* and RRT were incredibly clear, and the Behavior Trees module particularly interesting and well-explained."

"Fantastic course! The coverage of path planning algorithms like BFS, Dijkstra, and A* was thorough, and the transition to randomized methods like RRT was smooth."

"The algorithms covered are fundamental, and I appreciated the detailed explanations of Behavior Trees and how they solve complex sequencing problems."

Some reviewers experienced difficulties with the Webots simulation environment itself.

"My only minor gripe is that sometimes the Webots environment had its quirks, which detracted a bit from the learning experience as I spent time troubleshooting the simulator."

"Some parts could benefit from updated Webots guidance, as the simulator can be a bit tricky for newcomers."

"I had prior programming experience but found the debugging of the Webots projects frustrating."

Assignments are difficult, particularly debugging and Webots integration.

"I struggled with the implementation aspects. Some of the provided starter code felt a bit clunky, and the debugging process for the final project was quite time-consuming."

"I found this course incredibly difficult... The jump in complexity for the assignments felt steep, and I often felt lost trying to implement the algorithms."

"The practical side was a hurdle. More walkthroughs or troubleshooting tips for common issues would be helpful as I found debugging frustrating."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution with these activities:

Create a study plan

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Creating a study plan will help you stay organized and make the most of your study time.

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Review the course syllabus and identify the key topics.
Set aside specific times for studying.
Identify resources that you will need.

Find a mentor

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Having a mentor can provide you with guidance, support, and advice throughout your learning journey.

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Identify potential mentors in your field.
Reach out to them and ask if they are willing to mentor you.
Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your progress and challenges.

Review the textbook

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Reading the assigned chapters will offer you an in-depth overview of the main topics that will be covered during this course.

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Read the chapters assigned for each week.
Take notes on the main concepts.
Complete any practice exercises or problems.

Six other activities

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Watch video tutorials

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Watching video tutorials can provide you with a more interactive and visual understanding of the course concepts.

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Identify topics that you need additional clarification on.
Search for video tutorials on those topics.
Take notes and pause the videos to reinforce your understanding.

Practice programming exercises

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Solving programming exercises will allow you to apply the concepts you learn in the course and improve your programming skills.

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Complete the programming exercises assigned in each module.
Attempt additional programming challenges from online resources.
Review and understand the solutions to the exercises.

Join a study group

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Participating in a study group will allow you to collaborate with other students, share knowledge, and improve your understanding of the course material.

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Join an existing study group or create your own.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Work together on projects and assignments.

Create a project

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Completing a project will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills to solve a real-world problem.

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Identify a problem or challenge that you want to solve.
Develop a plan for your project.
Implement your project.
Test and evaluate your project.

Participate in robotics competitions

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Participating in robotics competitions can help you apply your skills, collaborate with others, and learn from experts.

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Identify robotics competitions that are relevant to your interests.
Form a team and develop a project.
Compete in the competition and learn from the experience.

Attend industry events

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Attending industry events can help you connect with professionals in your field and learn about the latest developments.

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Identify industry events in your area.
Register for and attend the events.
Network with other attendees and learn about their work.

Career center

Learners who complete Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and test robots for a variety of purposes. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, would be very helpful for Robotics Engineers because it covers the basics of path planning and task execution for robots. This knowledge is essential for Robotics Engineers to be able to design and build robots that can navigate complex environments and perform tasks autonomously.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Autonomous Vehicle Engineer

Autonomous Vehicle Engineers design and develop self-driving vehicles. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Autonomous Vehicle Engineers because it covers the basics of path planning for robots. This knowledge is helpful for Autonomous Vehicle Engineers to be able to design and develop self-driving vehicles that can navigate complex environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Autonomous Vehicle Engineer

Robotics Technician

Robotics Technicians maintain and repair robots. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Robotics Technicians because it covers the basics of path planning for robots. This knowledge is helpful for Robotics Technicians to be able to maintain and repair robots that are used in a variety of industries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Technician

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers design and develop manufacturing processes. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Manufacturing Engineers because it covers the basics of path planning for robots. This knowledge is helpful for Manufacturing Engineers to be able to design and develop manufacturing processes that use robots.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Software Engineers who are interested in developing software for robots. This knowledge is helpful for Software Engineers to be able to develop software that enables robots to navigate complex environments and perform tasks autonomously.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and develop mechanical systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Mechanical Engineers who are interested in designing and developing robots. This knowledge is helpful for Mechanical Engineers to be able to design and develop robots that are able to navigate complex environments and perform tasks autonomously.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and develop electrical systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Electrical Engineers who are interested in designing and developing robots. This knowledge is helpful for Electrical Engineers to be able to design and develop robots that are able to navigate complex environments and perform tasks autonomously.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists design and develop computer systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Computer Scientists who are interested in developing software for robots. This knowledge is helpful for Computer Scientists to be able to develop software that enables robots to navigate complex environments and perform tasks autonomously.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Data Scientists who are interested in developing data-driven solutions for robots. This knowledge is helpful for Data Scientists to be able to develop solutions that enable robots to learn from data and adapt to changing environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design and develop complex systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Systems Engineers who are interested in designing and developing robotic systems. This knowledge is helpful for Systems Engineers to be able to design and develop robotic systems that are able to navigate complex environments and perform tasks autonomously.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in a variety of industries. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Operations Research Analysts who are interested in using mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in the field of robotics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design and improve production systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Industrial Engineers who are interested in using robotics to improve production systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Quality Engineer

Quality Engineers ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Quality Engineers who are interested in using robotics to improve quality control processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer

Safety Engineer

Safety Engineers design and implement safety systems. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Safety Engineers who are interested in using robotics to improve safety systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Safety Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. This course, Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution, may be helpful for Project Managers who are interested in managing robotics projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution.

Cover image

Cover image

Virtual Reality

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Provides a comprehensive overview of planning algorithms, which are essential for robot path planning. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques used in robotics and other fields.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality

Cover image

Cover image

Behavior Trees in Robotics and AI

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Provides a comprehensive overview of behavior trees, which are a powerful tool for sequencing robot tasks.

Behavior Trees in Robotics and AI: An Introduction...

Behavior Trees in Robotics and AI: An Introduction...

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Cover image

Probabilistic Robotics

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Provides a comprehensive overview of probabilistic robotics, which is essential for robot path planning in uncertain environments.

Probabilistic Robotics (Intelligent Robotics and...

Probabilistic Robotics (Intelligent Robotics and...

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Cover image

ROS Robotics By Example

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Provides a comprehensive overview of ROS, which is the most popular robotics middleware. It valuable resource for anyone interested in developing robot applications.

ROS Robotics By Example - Second Edition: Learning...

ROS Robotics By Example: This is an easy-to-follow...

ROS Robotics By Example - Second Edition: Learning...

ROS Robotics By Example: This is an easy-to-follow...

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Learn AI and Human-Robot Interaction from Asimov's...

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Provides a comprehensive overview of AI robotics, covering topics such as perception, planning, and control. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field of robotics.

Learn AI and Human-Robot Interaction from Asimov's...

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Introduction to Autonomous Mobile Robots, second...

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Provides a comprehensive overview of autonomous robotics, covering topics such as navigation, planning, and control. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field of robotics.

Introduction to Autonomous Mobile Robots, second...

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Disaster Robotics

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Provides a practical introduction to mobile robotics, covering topics such as kinematics, dynamics, control, and perception. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field of robotics.

Disaster Robotics (Intelligent Robotics and...

Adoption of Robots for Disasters: Lessons from the...

Disaster Robotics (Intelligent Robotics and...

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Introduction to Robotics, Global Edition

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Provides a comprehensive overview of robotics, covering topics such as kinematics, dynamics, control, and perception. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field of robotics.

Introduction To Robotics Global Edition

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Course image

Effort

About 50 hours

Level

Intermediate

Via

Coursera

Institution

University of Colorado Boulder

Instructor

Nikolaus Correll

Language

English

This course belongs to a collection called Introduction to Robotics with Webots. It's comprised of three courses:

Robotic Mapping and Trajectory Generation
Basic Robotic Behaviors and Odometry
Robotic Path Planning and Task Execution (viewing)

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

May help those with interest in engineering

Teaches algorithms that are standard in the robotics industry

Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials

May require you to purchase additional items and goods

Explicitly advises to take other courses first

May accelerate path toward MS in Computer Science

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