Week 1 7 lessons
Robotics Fundamentals D1
H-ROS: Hardware Robot Operating System H-ROS (Hardware Robot Operating System) enables modular robot design with standardized hardware interfaces. Learn how H-ROS is revolutionizing robotics compo...
Mar 29, 2026 D2 Robot Classification System: A Complete Guide Master the robot classification system: industrial robots, service robots, and special purpose robots. Learn how to categorize any robot by its application d...
Mar 29, 2026 D3 Robot Core Components: A Technical Deep Dive Understand robot core components: perception systems, decision systems, and execution systems. Learn how sensors, controllers, and actuators work together.
Mar 29, 2026 D4 2025 Robotics Industry Overview Comprehensive 2025 robotics industry analysis: market size, key players, China vs West competition, and investment trends shaping the future of robotics.
Mar 29, 2026 D5 The Humanoid Robot Revolution 2025 2025 is the Year One of Humanoid Robots. Explore why AI breakthroughs, falling costs, and labor shortages are driving the humanoid robot revolution.
Mar 29, 2026 D6 Why Learn Robotics? 6 Compelling Reasons Why should you learn robotics in 2025? Discover 6 compelling reasons including career opportunities, future-proofing, creative expression, and understanding AI.
Mar 29, 2026 D7 Week 1 Summary: Robotics Fundamentals Week 1 complete! Review everything we learned about robotics: definitions, classification, components, industry, humanoids, and why to learn robotics.
Mar 29, 2026 Week 2 7 lessons
Coordinate Systems & Kinematics D1
Coordinate Systems in Robotics: Frame of Reference Smartotics Week 02 Day 1: Coordinate Systems in Robotics: Frame of Reference. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 D2 Rotation Matrices: How Robots Calculate Orientation Smartotics Week 02 Day 2: Rotation Matrices: How Robots Calculate Orientation. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 D3 Homogeneous Transform Matrices: Combining Rotation + Translation Smartotics Week 02 Day 3: Homogeneous Transform Matrices: Combining Rotation + Translation. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 D4 Euler Angles vs Quaternions: Representing 3D Orientation in Robotics Smartotics Week 02 Day 4: Euler Angles vs Quaternions: Representing 3D Orientation in Robotics. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 D5 Forward Kinematics: From Joint Angles to End-Effector Position Smartotics Week 02 Day 5: Forward Kinematics: From Joint Angles to End-Effector Position. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 D6 Python Kinematics Practice: Building Forward Kinematics from Scratch Smartotics Week 02: Python Kinematics Practice: Building Forward Kinematics from Scratch. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 D7 Week 2 Summary: Kinematics & Coordinate Systems Complete Smartotics Week 02: Week 2 Summary: Kinematics & Coordinate Systems Complete. Part of the 104-week structured robotics learning curriculum.
Apr 4, 2026 Week 3 7 lessons
Inverse Kinematics D1
Introduction to Inverse Kinematics: From Position to Joint Angles Learn the fundamentals of inverse kinematics (IK): what it is, why it matters, and how it differs from forward kinematics. The essential primer before diving into analytical and numerical methods.
Apr 7, 2026 D2 Analytical Inverse Kinematics: Solving IK the Elegant Way Learn how to derive closed-form analytical IK solutions for 2-DOF and 3-DOF robot arms using trigonometry and geometry.
Apr 8, 2026 D3 The Jacobian Method: Velocity-Based Inverse Kinematics Understand how the Jacobian matrix bridges joint velocities and end-effector motion, and use it to solve inverse kinematics iteratively.
Apr 9, 2026 D4 Numerical IK: Newton-Raphson and Cyclic Coordinate Descent Master iterative numerical methods for inverse kinematics including Newton-Raphson and CCD, with practical Python implementations.
Apr 10, 2026 D5 Redundancy and Optimization: Getting More from Your Robot Learn how to exploit redundant degrees of freedom in robot arms for obstacle avoidance, joint limit optimization, and singularity robustness.
Apr 11, 2026 D6 IK in the Real World: Industrial Arms, Humanoids, and Beyond Explore how inverse kinematics powers real robots — from factory arms doing pick-and-place to humanoid robots walking and grasping.
Apr 12, 2026 D7 Week 3 Summary: Mastering Inverse Kinematics Recap everything we learned about inverse kinematics this week — from analytical solutions to real-world applications — and get a preview of Week 4.
Apr 13, 2026 Week 4 7 lessons
Forward Kinematics & Path Planning D1
Introduction to Forward Kinematics Learn the fundamentals of forward kinematics and how to calculate robot end-effector positions from joint angles
Apr 13, 2026 D2 Joint Space vs Cartesian Space Understanding the relationship between joint space and Cartesian space, and the Jacobian matrix for coordinate transformations
Apr 14, 2026 D3 Robot Workspace Analysis Learn how to analyze and visualize robot workspace, including reachable workspace, dexterity, and optimization techniques
Apr 15, 2026 D4 Path Planning Algorithms: A* and RRT Master fundamental path planning algorithms including A* search and Rapidly-exploring Random Trees for robot navigation
Apr 16, 2026 D5 Dynamic Path Planning and Real-time Obstacle Avoidance Master dynamic window approach, timed elastic band, and real-time obstacle avoidance algorithms for mobile robots
Apr 17, 2026 D6 Robot Control Algorithms: PID and Model Predictive Control Master fundamental and advanced robot control algorithms including PID controllers and model predictive control for precise robot movement
Apr 18, 2026 D7 Week 4 Summary: Forward Kinematics and Path Planning Comprehensive summary of Week 4 covering forward kinematics, workspace analysis, path planning algorithms, and robot control systems
Apr 19, 2026 Week 5 7 lessons
Dynamics & Control D1
Robot Dynamics Fundamentals: Mass, Inertia, and Forces Smartotics Week 5 Day 1: Understanding robot dynamics fundamentals including mass properties, inertia tensors, force analysis, and the equations of motion that govern how robots move under external forces.
Apr 20, 2026 D2 Lagrangian Dynamics: Energy-Based Equations of Motion Smartotics Week 5 Day 2: Master the Lagrangian formulation for robot dynamics. Learn how energy methods provide a systematic, scalable approach to deriving equations of motion for complex robotic systems.
Apr 21, 2026 D3 Newton-Euler Recursive Dynamics: Real-Time Robot Simulation Smartotics Week 5 Day 3: Learn the O(n) recursive Newton-Euler algorithm for efficient robot dynamics computation. The industry standard for real-time robot control.
Apr 22, 2026 D4 Force Control and Impedance Control: Interacting with the World Smartotics Week 5 Day 4: Master force control, impedance control, and hybrid position/force control for robots that must physically interact with humans, objects, and uncertain environments.
Apr 23, 2026 D5 Python Dynamics Simulation: From Theory to Working Code Smartotics Week 5 Day 5: Build a complete robot dynamics simulation environment in Python. Verify Lagrangian and Newton-Euler equivalence, check energy conservation, and simulate motion under various controllers.
Apr 25, 2026 D6 Adaptive and Robust Control: Handling Uncertainty Smartotics Week 5 Day 6: Master adaptive control for online parameter estimation and robust control for disturbance rejection. Essential techniques for real-world robots where models are never perfect.
Apr 26, 2026 D7 Week 5 Summary: Dynamics & Control Comprehensive summary of Week 5 covering robot dynamics fundamentals, Lagrangian mechanics, recursive Newton-Euler algorithms, and force/impedance control strategies.
Apr 24, 2026 Week 6 7 lessons
Perception & Planning D1
Sensors & Perception: How Robots Sense the World Smartotics Week 6 Day 1: Comprehensive overview of robot sensors — vision, LiDAR, tactile, IMU, and more. Learn how robots transform raw sensor data into actionable perception for autonomous decision-making.
Apr 27, 2026 D2 Computer Vision for Robotics: Detection, Tracking, and Pose Estimation Smartotics Week 6 Day 2: Practical computer vision for robots — object detection with YOLO, tracking with Kalman filters, and 6-DoF pose estimation usingPnP and ArUco markers. Full Python implementation included.
Apr 27, 2026 D3 LiDAR Point Cloud Processing: Registration, Segmentation, and Mapping Smartotics Week 6 Day 3: Processing LiDAR point clouds — ICP registration, RANSAC plane segmentation, Euclidean clustering, and real-time mapping. Full Python implementation with Open3D.
Apr 27, 2026 D4 Visual-Inertial SLAM: Building Maps and Tracking Simultaneously Smartotics Week 6 Day 4: SLAM fundamentals — feature extraction, loop closure, pose graph optimization, and VINS-Mono/ORB-SLAM3 overview. Understanding how robots navigate without GPS.
Apr 27, 2026 D5 Sensor Calibration: Hand-Eye, Temporal, and Multi-Sensor Alignment Smartotics Week 6 Day 5: The critical foundation — camera intrinsics, hand-eye calibration, temporal synchronization, and multi-sensor extrinsic calibration. Without proper calibration, fusion fails.
Apr 27, 2026 D6 Python Practice: Building a Multi-Sensor Perception Pipeline Smartotics Week 6 Day 6: Capstone project — integrate camera, LiDAR, and IMU into a unified perception pipeline with object detection, point cloud registration, and pose estimation. Complete ROS2-ready implementation.
Apr 27, 2026 D7 Week 6 Summary: Sensors, Perception, and SLAM Smartotics Week 6 Summary: Comprehensive recap of sensors (vision, LiDAR, IMU, tactile), perception pipelines (detection, tracking, pose estimation), SLAM fundamentals, and calibration. Key equations, common mistakes, and preview of Week 7.
Apr 27, 2026 Week 7 7 lessons
Advanced Topics D1
Actuators & Drive Systems: How Robots Move Week 7, Day 1: Introduction to robotic actuators — electric motors, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic drives. Understanding the muscles that turn robot decisions into physical motion.
Apr 30, 2026 D2 DC Motors and Servo Motors: The Workhorses of Precision Robotics Week 7, Day 2: Deep dive into DC motor physics, servo motor control loops, and the feedback systems that enable precise robotic positioning.
Apr 30, 2026 D3 Stepper Motors and Brushless DC Motors: Precision and Efficiency Week 7, Day 3: Understanding stepper motor open-loop control, BLDC electronic commutation, and when to choose each for robotic applications.
Apr 30, 2026 D4 Harmonic Drives and Planetary Gearboxes: Mechanical Precision Week 7, Day 4: Deep dive into harmonic drive technology, planetary gear systems, and the mechanical engineering that enables humanoid robot precision.
Apr 30, 2026 D5 Motor Drivers and Power Electronics: From Commands to Current Week 7, Day 5: Understanding H-bridges, PWM control, motor driver architectures, and the power electronics that translate digital commands into physical motion.
Apr 30, 2026 D6 Python Practice: Motor Control Simulation and Characterization Week 7, Day 6: Hands-on Python practice simulating DC motor dynamics, tuning PID controllers, and visualizing torque-speed characteristics.
Apr 30, 2026 D7 Week 7 Summary: Actuators, Gearboxes, and Drive Systems Week 7, Day 7: Summary of actuator technologies, gearbox selection, motor drivers, and control strategies. Key equations, common pitfalls, and connections to previous weeks.
Apr 30, 2026 Week 8 7 lessons
Project & Review D1
Control Systems for Robotics: From Theory to Implementation Week 8 Day 1: Introduction to robot control systems architecture — feedback loops, control hierarchies, and the path from sensor data to motor commands.
May 11, 2026 D2 PID Controller Design and Tuning for Robot Joints Week 8 Day 2: Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control — the workhorse of robot motion control. Theory, tuning rules, and anti-windup techniques.
May 11, 2026 D3 State-Space Control and the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) Week 8 Day 3: Moving beyond PID — state-space representation, controllability, and LQR optimal control for multi-joint robots.
May 11, 2026 D4 ROS2 Architecture for Real-Time Robot Control Week 8 Day 4: ROS2 nodes, topics, and launch files for building a modular robot control stack. Publisher-subscriber patterns and real-time considerations.
May 11, 2026 D5 Sensor Fusion: The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for Robot State Estimation Week 8 Day 5: Fusing encoder, IMU, and vision data with the Extended Kalman Filter to estimate position, velocity, and orientation in real time.
May 11, 2026 D6 Python Practice: Full Robot Control Loop with ROS2 and Gazebo Week 8 Day 6: Build a complete ROS2 control stack — sensor simulation, PID controller, and motor actuation — in Python with Gazebo integration.
May 11, 2026 D7 Week 8 Summary: Control Systems Implementation Week 8 Day 7: Key formulas, common pitfalls, and the bridge from theory to real robot control. Preview of Week 9: Advanced Motion Planning.
May 11, 2026 Week 9 7 lessons
D1
Motion Planning Fundamentals: Configuration Space and Obstacles Week 9 Day 1: The foundations of robot motion planning — configuration space (C-space), obstacle mapping, and the difference between path planning and trajectory planning.
May 22, 2026 D2 Search-Based Motion Planning: A*, Dijkstra, and Hybrid A* Week 9 Day 2: Graph search algorithms for robot path planning — A* heuristics, Dijkstra completeness, and Hybrid A* for non-holonomic vehicles.
May 22, 2026 D3 Sampling-Based Motion Planning: RRT, RRT*, and PRM Week 9 Day 3: Randomized motion planning for high-dimensional robots — Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRT), asymptotically optimal RRT*, and Probabilistic Roadmaps (PRM).
May 22, 2026 D4 Trajectory Optimization: CHOMP, STOMP, and TrajOpt Week 9 Day 4: Optimization-based motion planning — converting a path into a smooth, collision-free, dynamically feasible trajectory using gradient descent and stochastic optimization.
May 22, 2026 D5 Kinodynamic Planning: Dynamic Constraints in Motion Planning Week 9 Day 5: Planning with velocity, acceleration, and torque limits — kinodynamic RRT, state-space lattice planning, and time-optimal path parameterization.
May 22, 2026 D6 Python Practice: RRT* for a 2-DOF Planar Robot Arm Week 9 Day 6: Build a complete RRT* planner from scratch for a 2-DOF arm — collision checking, tree rewiring, path extraction, and Matplotlib visualization.
May 22, 2026 D7 Week 9 Summary: Advanced Motion Planning Week 9 Day 7: Key formulas, common pitfalls, and the bridge from geometric paths to dynamically feasible trajectories. Preview of Week 10: Grasping and Manipulation.
May 22, 2026