Robotics

Autonomous Systems & Mechanical Intelligence

2024-2025 Available Now

Delving into mechanical intelligence, control systems, and human-robot interaction through kinetic sculptures and autonomous systems that bridge the gap between art and engineering.

01

FundamentalsAvailable

Design-first approach to robotics: form, behavior, components, making, autonomy, and real-world applications for creative technologists.

Design-First Robotics

Robot as artifact, form follows function, movement as communication, HRI principles, and design case studies.

Robot Behavior Design

Movement vocabulary, personality through motion, interaction patterns, designing trust, and behavior prototyping.

Robot Anatomy for Designers

Components explained: sensors (what robots perceive), actuators (how they act), controllers, and choosing the right parts.

Making Simple Robots

Arduino and Raspberry Pi basics, beginner kits, first robot project walkthrough, visual programming with Blockly.

Autonomy & AI

Levels of autonomy, rule-based vs. learning systems, computer vision basics, and designing for graceful failure.

Robotics Applications

Industry use cases, service robots, social robots, healthcare, creative robotics, and emerging opportunities.

02

ReadingsAvailable

Curated research papers and resources on robot design, HRI, autonomous systems, and real-world applications. 24 verified sources from MIT Press, IEEE, Springer, and leading institutions.

Design & Human-Robot Interaction

Research on robot behavior design, social robotics, uncanny valley, and ethics. Includes Breazeal's sociable robots and Reeves & Nass' media equation.

Maker Culture & DIY Robotics

Arduino and Raspberry Pi resources, open-source projects, ROS documentation, and the maker movement philosophy.

Autonomy & AI Integration

Probabilistic robotics, SLAM, computer vision, end-to-end learning, and robot learning from demonstration research.

Real-World Applications

Collaborative robots, autonomous vehicles, surgical robotics, Mars rovers, and service robot case studies.

Ethics & Society

Automation impact, moral machines, safety standards, and the future of work with robots. Critical perspectives on technology and society.

→ Browse All Readings

Explore the complete curated library of robotics research and resources

03

FlashcardsAvailable

Master robotics concepts through active recall. 60 interactive flashcards covering robot anatomy, movement, autonomy, applications, and maker tools.

Robot Anatomy (15 cards)

Servo motors, sensors (ultrasonic, LiDAR, IMU, force), actuators, encoders, and essential robot components.

Movement & Behavior (12 cards)

Differential drive, kinematics, gaits, locomotion, legibility, and animation principles for robots.

Autonomy Levels (10 cards)

SLAM, path planning, computer vision, sensor fusion, PID control, and autonomous navigation concepts.

Applications (13 cards)

Cobots, AGVs, social robots, soft robotics, prosthetics, surgical robots, and delivery systems.

Maker Tools (10 cards)

Arduino, Raspberry Pi, PWM, I2C, ROS, GPIO, breadboards, and essential robotics development tools.

→ Start Learning

Practice with interactive flashcards and track your progress

04

Field KitAvailable

Essential tools, kits, and resources for building robots. From beginner Arduino setups to advanced simulation platforms and design templates.

Maker Kits & Platforms

Arduino starter kits, Raspberry Pi robots, pre-built platforms (mBot, Sphero), and open-source projects (InMoov, Otto DIY).

Design Tools & Templates

Robot specification documents, behavior design state machines, and designer-engineer collaboration frameworks.

Visual & Low-Code Programming

Blockly for robotics, Scratch extensions, and ROS basics for designers. Program robots without traditional coding.

Robot Simulation Tools

Webots, Gazebo, browser-based simulators, and motion planning visualizers. Test designs before building hardware.

Platform Comparison Guide

Arduino vs Raspberry Pi decision matrix, cost comparisons, and use case recommendations for different projects.

→ Access Field Kit

Browse complete collection of maker resources and tools

05

ActivitiesAvailable

Apply your knowledge through hands-on maker projects, collaborative design scenarios, and real-world case study analysis.

Individual Maker Projects

Paper robot prototypes, build Arduino line-following robot with step-by-step guide, and robot context design exercises.

Collaborative Design Scenarios

Design team simulations, ethical dilemma discussions, and application brainstorming workshops with structured frameworks.

Boston Dynamics Analysis

Deep dive into Spot and Atlas robots. Understand movement mastery, commercial pivot, and lessons for designers.

Social Robots: Jibo vs Pepper

Compare failed consumer robot with successful business robot. Learn what makes social robots viable.

Collaborative Robots in Manufacturing

How cobots are changing factory work. Human-robot collaboration case study with safety and design insights.

→ Start Activities

Practice with hands-on projects and case studies

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