Top 6 Robotics Engineering Courses of 2024

Robots are everywhere: from assembly lines in large factories to vacuum cleaners cleaning carpets in living rooms.

As big tech companies continue to innovate, they are becoming increasingly woven into our daily lives. Amazon recently expanded its Prime Air drone delivery service globally, and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot, which pushes the boundaries of mobility and automation, will soon go on sale.

All this progress means there’s a huge demand for robotics engineers who can create and maintain such technologies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the market for mechanical engineers, the job titles that robotics engineers fall into, is expected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033—significantly faster than average.

Robotics engineers use a combination of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering skills to design, build, and program robots for a variety of applications. The role requires knowledge of hardware such as circuits and sensors, as well as coding for computer vision, AI, and control systems.

If you’re interested in exploring robotics for the first time, or you’re a STEM professional looking to apply your knowledge to a new field, you may want to consider taking a relevant online course. TechRepublic looks at six best robotics engineering courses available in 2024 for learners with varying experience, goals and budgets.

SEE: 5 Best Engineering Certifications Worth Getting

Best Robotics Engineering Courses: Comparison Chart

Robotics Specialization – Coursera

Coursera Robotics Specialization. — The Coursera course is perfect for beginners looking for an overview of different areas of robotics. Image: Coursera/Screenshot by TechRepublic

Coursera’s Robotics Specialization offers a solid introduction to key areas of robotics engineering, such as robot mechanics, aerial robotics, perception, and mobility, with no experience required. It includes hands-on programming exercises using tools like Matlab and culminates in a capstone project that involves programming a robot to fly and grab objects around the house. The content is curated and taught by faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, and the course is self-paced.

Cost

$79/£61 per month after seven-day free trial.

Duration

120 hours.

Prerequisites

Nothing.

Skills taught

Matlab, Raspberry Pi, Python, computer vision, motion planning.

Pros and cons

Advantages	Defects
Beginner friendly.	Lots of theory.
Final design included in the price.	Published eight years ago, so some elements may be out of date.

Robotics Software Engineer – Udacity

Robotics Software Engineer at Udacity. — The Udacity nanodegree isn’t for beginners, but it gives those with a background in math and computer science a hands-on experience with ROS. Photo: Udacity/Screenshot by TechRepublic

Robotics Operating System, or ROS, is an open-source framework that provides tools and libraries for creating, simulating, and controlling robotic systems—the foundation of robotics programming. If you already have a solid foundation in math and basic C++ programming knowledge, Udacity’s Robotics Software Engineering nanodegree is a good option for learning ROS. It covers localization, path planning, search algorithms, and more in four months of content. Students complete multiple robot-building projects using Gazebo, ROS, and C++ to control their actions.

Price

$249/£194 per month.

Duration

Four months.

Prerequisites

Basics of C++, linear algebra, basic descriptive statistics, basics of differential and integral calculus, lidar.

Skills taught

Gazebo, robotics operating system, search algorithms, path planning, mapping, SLAM.

Pros and cons

Advantages	Defects
Provides hands-on experience with industry standard tools such as ROS and Gazebo.	It requires many prerequisites to be met.
Offers an active community of mentors and students who can provide feedback.	Dear.

SEE: 5 Best Online C Programming Courses for 2024

Complete UiPath RPA Developer Course: Build 7 Robots – Udemy

Complete Udemy UiPath RPA Developer course: Build 7 Robots. — If you want to automate real tasks with robots, this Udemy course will show you how. Image: Udemy/Screenshot by TechRepublic

Robotic Process Automation, or RPA, is the use of software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks, while UiPath is an RPA platform. The following Udemy course teaches students who have encountered these types of tasks in their work or college how to develop a robot that can help them. The course is entirely project-based, and the content is delivered through the automation of seven real-world business problems. The course works well for those who “learn by doing.”

Price

$109.99/£59.99.

Duration

30.5 hours.

Prerequisites

Nothing.

Skills taught

South Africa, Uipath.

Pros and cons

Advantages	Defects
Content delivered through the automation of real-life tasks.	It does not include the Robotic Enterprise Framework, widely used in industry.
Content is updated regularly.	Requires a Windows device, not compatible with Mac.

Self-Driving Car Engineer – Udacity

Autonomous Car Engineer at Udacity. — Students can expand their understanding of computer vision as it relates to autonomous vehicle engineering. Image: Udacity/Screenshot by TechRepublic

This Udacity nanodegree is designed for people who already have a solid foundation in programming and mathematics but want to apply their knowledge to robotics. It is especially well-suited for those who want to expand their knowledge of computer vision, a field of artificial intelligence that allows computers to interpret visual information from the world, such as photos and videos. Content is delivered in the context of autonomous vehicle engineering, covering lane detection, image processing, convolutional neural networks, deep learning, and more. Udacity has partnered with Waymo on this program, ensuring that the lessons and projects are relevant to the industry.

Price

$249/£194 per month.

Duration

Four months.

Prerequisites

Matplotlib, basic calculus, intermediate Python, C++, linear algebra.

Skills taught

Lidar, C++, computer vision, neural networks, TensorFlow, object detection, localization.

Pros and cons

Advantages	Defects
Content delivered in the practical context of autonomous cars.	It requires several prerequisites.
Developed in partnership with industry leader Waymo.	Dear.

Electricity and Electronics – Robotics, Learn by Building – Udemy

Udemy Electrical & Electronics - Robotics, learn by building. — Learn hands-on robotic PCB skills with this Udemy course. Image: Udemy/Screenshot by TechRepublic

Circuits are the foundation of all robotics, so understanding the hardware aspect can greatly enhance your ability to design and troubleshoot robotic systems. “Electricity and Electronics” on Udemy teaches practical skills like soldering and troubleshooting in addition to theoretical concepts. Throughout the course, students will build a variety of functional circuits, such as light blinkers, sound buzzers, and a servo controller that reads electrical impulses from arm muscles. Access to electronic parts and a breadboard is required.

Price

$149/£59.99.

Duration

11 hours.

Prerequisites

Basic math skills and access to a breadboard, multimeter, soldering iron, solder and wire.

Skills taught

Circuits, Servo Motors, Electrical Theory,

Pros and cons

Advantages	Defects
Suitable for beginners.	Requires additional electronic components.
Practical, project-based learning.	Some advanced theoretical concepts lack depth.

Arduino for Beginners – Complete Course 2024 – Udemy

Udemy Arduino for Beginners – Complete Course 2024. — Arduino is a user-friendly, open-source electronics building platform. Image: Udemy/Screenshot by TechRepublic

Arduino is an open-source platform used to build electronics. It consists of microcontroller boards and a simple programming environment, allowing users to write code to control components such as sensors, motors, and lights. Its user-friendly interface and large community make it a popular starting point for beginners looking to get into robotics. Udemy’s “Arduino for Beginners” is a highly rated course that covers everything from basic coding to building your first circuits, through 20 hands-on activities. Each activity builds on the previous one and ends with a Capstone, where you create an interactive application to detect obstacles.

Price

$94.99/£54.99.

Duration

15 hours.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites. Arduino boards and other components are not required but are recommended. A full list of kits is available for free if you wish to purchase the necessary hardware.

Skills taught

Arduino and C++.

Pros and cons

Advantages	Defects
Practical, project-based learning.	Subtitles are inaccurate.
No equipment or prior knowledge required.	Some course participants say that the instructor teaches quickly, so prior programming knowledge may be helpful.

Is robotics engineering difficult?

Robotics engineering is often considered a difficult field due to its multidisciplinary nature, combining elements of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. Designing and building the physical parts of robots requires an understanding of materials, dynamics, and mechanics, as well as circuits and power systems. Programming and algorithms are needed for robot control and aspects of machine learning. Different technical skill sets are required for each aspect of robotics, meaning there is a steep learning curve. In addition, the foundations rely heavily on mathematical concepts, which some students find difficult. However, with a strong interest and willingness to learn, robotics is not out of reach for anyone, and trying a beginner-friendly course is a good place to start.

Is robotics engineering well paid?

Yes. The average salary of an experienced robotics engineer is around $150,000 per year in the US and £54,000 per year in the UK, while the average annual salaries of workers in both countries are $64,000 and £35,000 respectively.

SEE: The Best Tasks Humans Have Given to Robot Helpers

Does robotics need coding?

Yes, robotics relies heavily on coding. Programmers write code to control a robot’s movements, process sensor data, and implement algorithms for tasks like navigation and object recognition. Languages like Python, C++, and ROS—all of which are covered in these courses—are typically used to make robots run autonomously and efficiently. However, you can work in robotics engineering and focus on the hardware side, which involves less coding. For example, you can design the circuits that control the components of a robot, as taught in “Electricity and Electronics — Robotics, Learn by Building” on Udemy.

Methodology

When evaluating online courses, we looked at the reliability and popularity of the provider, the depth and variety of topics offered, the practicality of the information, the cost, and the duration. Courses and certification programs vary widely, so make sure you choose an option that is right for your goals and learning style.