Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Delft University of Technology

Building Robots: System Integration

Delft University of Technology via edX

Overview

Mechatronic systems are transforming our world, with robots as some of the most impactful examples. These versatile machines enhance efficiency across diverse fields, from manufacturing and agriculture to household tasks and space exploration.

Robots highlight the power of mechatronic system integration , where mechanical, electronic, and control systems are seamlessly combined to relieve humans of repetitive or hazardous tasks.

This course provides essential knowledge and practical skills for system integration in mechatronics, with a focus on robotics.

Participants will learn to tackle the challenges of integrating multiple engineering disciplines to design and develop robotic applications. Through hands-on learning activities and real-world examples, you’ll gain the skills needed to conceptualize, build, and control fully integrated mechatronic systems and robots.

Who is this course for?
Designed for engineering students, young engineers or experienced specialists, this course offers an ideal gateway to mastering robotic systems.

A hands-on approach: build your own robot
One of the course's unique features is its use of modular mechatronic educational hardware.

This hardware facilitates a systematic approach to designing robotic applications, guiding you through the entire process of mechatronic system integration – from conceptualization and analysis to construction and control.

The open-source hardware and firmware enables customization, making it adaptable for various applications, including student thesis projects.

Full Program
This course is an initiative of the Erasmus + project GEMS (Graceful Equalizing of Mechatronics Students). It is the last course of the online program: Building Robots: From Mechatronic Components to Robotics , developed by GEMS partners, with the University of Ljubljana leading the part about system integration in robotics.

Syllabus

Week 0: Introduction to System Integration for Robotics
Introduction to the course
Participants learn about course requirements, goals and equipment that will be used.

Week 1: Mechatronic system design
Discussion of mechatronic system design.

  • system specifications
  • design tools and methods
  • connection between design and manufacturing technologies
  • modular design

Participants learn to set specifications for a mechatronic system and describe it.

Week 2: 3D printing: Enabling robot manufacturing technology
Technology for 3D printing and its role in mechatronic system design is presented with a focus on FDM 3D printing process

  • description of a 3D printer
  • explanation of the process
  • printed part design guidelines

Participants learn to design a part that can be 3D printed with FDM technology.

Week 3: Mobile robot: Differential drive
The concept of mobile robots is introduced and a mobile robot with a differential drive is analyzed.

  • Influence of robot design on movement
  • forces during movement
  • direct and inverse kinematics in 2D

Participants learn to calculate mobile robot kinematics and create a program for its movement.

Week 4: Robotic arm: An articulated robot
The concept of a robotic arm is introduced, and a simple articulated robot is analyzed.

  • influence of robot design on movement
  • direct and inverse kinematics in 3D

Participants learn to calculate articulated robot kinematics and create a program for its movement.

Project: Create a wirelessly controlled robot
A project for creating a robot is divided into three parts. Participants learn to implement a robotic application from assembly to result sharing.

Week 5: Part 1 – Assemble
A project to create a wirelessly controlled robot based on GEMS servomotor is introduced and the specifics of creating multi-program wireless control system are discussed.

Participants prepare, assemble and test the robot hardware to gain valuable first-hand experience implementing a mechatronic system.

Week 6: Part 2 – Control
Participants first create a program that demonstrates working communication paths between modules and then extend it to enable robot motion to be controlled from a web interface.

Week 7: Part 3 – Improve and share
In the last week participants improve the robot control program by including additional available sensors or user interface. Project results are presented with a short video and technical documentation.

Taught by

Gašper Škulj, Primož Podržaj and Tomaž Požrl

Reviews

Start your review of Building Robots: System Integration

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.