Learn about the robotics engineering field and what it takes to become a robotics engineer, including the required skills, education, experience, and potential salaries.
Robotics engineers help create robotic systems used to perform human and nonhuman duties. Some common responsibilities associated with this role include the following:
Design and build robots
Maintain and repair robots
Develop new applications for existing robots
Research to expand the potential of robotics聽
Some robotics engineers specialise in creating specific parts of a robot.
As a robotics engineer, you could contribute to any aspect of the robot, from initial design to writing control software. You鈥檒l evaluate robotic systems, make any necessary improvements, and perform tests to ensure the robots function correctly and meet industry standards before people use them.
Robotics engineers create robots for various purposes, from exploring other planets to working in factories. You can make a significant difference in the world as a robotics engineer.
The robotics engineering field is complex. It combines many disciplines, including computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering. It involves designing, building, and engineering robots. It鈥檚 also a valuable research-related design role.聽
As a robotics engineer, you may develop robotic applications across many industries, including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, defence, and medicine.聽
You may spend much of your time working at a computer designing new products or at a workstation assembling prototypes for testing purposes. Some robotics engineers work on-site at manufacturing plants overseeing robots as they operate on assembly lines.
Attending professional conferences will help you keep up with developments in the field. These conferences provide opportunities to share new ideas with other experts and learn about the latest technology.
Working as a robotics engineer, you can specialise in areas such as:
Mobility locomotion
Sensing and perception
Operator interface
Manipulators and effectors
Programming
There are many different types of robotics engineering, with specialties that fit your interests and skills.聽
For instance, some robotics engineers design robotic arms for the auto industry, others help create robots for space exploration, and others develop specialised robots to help perform surgery or assist the military.
Robotics engineering combines electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer systems engineering. Many specialties have emerged as the field has grown and expanded, including but not limited to:聽
Air traffic management systems
Artificial intelligence robotics
Automation
Bio-cybernetics
Computer software development
Computer-aided manufacturing
Control systems
Defence
Farming
Health care
General robotics
Intelligent systems
Medical robotics
Microrobotics
Robots are used in various fields, creating many opportunities for robotics engineers. You may work in:
A manufacturing plant building, maintaining, and fixing robots
A technology company designing personal and domestic robots聽
A university performing research on human-machine interaction and robotic advances
Industrial research developing and building new robotic design concepts
Many robotic engineers will work in some type of laboratory setting and spaces conducive to frequently manufacturing and testing their robots. Robotics engineers also have an in-office space to plan prototypes or hold brainstorming sessions.聽
As robotics engineering is a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary field, you need to be curious and committed to continuous learning. More specifically, you may want to have these skills:
Interest in how things work: As a robotics engineer, you'll be responsible for designing, assembling, testing, and maintaining robots. You need to understand mechanics, electronics, sensory feedback systems, and how these complex machines operate.聽
Imagination: You must be able to visualise how a robot moves and interacts with its environment.
Decision-making skills: Many problems don't have clear solutions. In these situations, it's up to you to evaluate different options and make the best decision.
Maths skills: As a robotics engineer, you鈥檒l use advanced maths daily as you design and analyse the performance of robots. Algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics are also common, as are calculus or trigonometry.
Computer skills: Robotics engineers use computer software to create detailed designs of robots and robotic systems before building those systems. They also use specialised software programs to test how robots perform in different environments.
A practical focus: You need to use critical and logical thinking to debug machines and get them working properly. You鈥檒l often have to make decisions that compromise performance in one area and be able to ascertain the best path forward.
Communication skills: As an engineer, you must be able to clearly communicate your designs to other professionals.
You鈥檒l also need domain-specific skills. For example, if you鈥檙e working on designing robotic brain interfaces, you may require knowledge of flexible conducting metals used as neural probes. You鈥檒l need to understand programming languages and artificial intelligence to work on autonomous robots. You can often learn domain-specific technical skills on the job, although some employers want prior experience in the area you鈥檒l be working.
A lot of positions conduct advanced robotics research in universities. Here are some industries where you鈥檒l find robotics engineering jobs.
Automotive manufacturers are among the largest employers of robotics engineers. These companies use robots to manufacture vehicles and their parts.
Robotics engineers also work for defence contractors who build military weapons that require remote or automated operations. Military drones and missile systems commonly use robotic technology.
Aerospace firms employ robotics engineers to design and manufacture spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. Robots also help assemble aircraft and perform maintenance on them.
Medical equipment manufacturers rely on robotics engineers to create artificial limbs and prosthetics. Surgical operations have increasingly used robotic surgical systems.聽
Robotics engineers can also find employment at research firms that study robotic technology and its possible applications in different industries.
Robotics engineering is growing rapidly. Experts anticipate the annual revenue growth rate for robotics in the UK to be 8.34 percent until 2027 [闭.听
The UK's average annual robotics engineering salary is 拢38,141 []. Some jobs in robotics engineering and their average UK salaries include:
Robotics electrical engineer: 拢37,027 []
Robotics software engineer: 拢45,431 []
Automation engineer: 拢42,302 []
Computer vision engineer: 拢50,022 []
You鈥檒l need an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification to become a robotics engineer. If you intend to work in a robotics software role, you鈥檒l need a background in computer science. If you want to design robotic components, you鈥檒l focus your studies on mechanical or electrical engineering.
Several universities offer undergraduate qualifications in robotics engineering. Many aspiring robotics engineers pursue a mechanical or electrical engineering degree focusing on robotics. You can choose from various majors and still have access to a robotics career, including:
Electrical/electronics engineering
Mechanical engineering
Computer science
Artificial intelligence and robotics
Mathematics
Design and technology
Computing and programming聽
To build relevant skills in robotics, you鈥檒l likely need to take mathematics and physics courses and more specialised classes related to robotics, such as mechanical design and programming languages.聽
If you choose a degree in electrical or computer engineering with robotics, your coursework will focus on components within robots, such as actuators, sensors, and circuit boards.
Employers typically don't mind whether you have a specific bachelor's degree. They want you to have the necessary skills and know-how to perform the job. Most robotics engineers hold at least a bachelor's degree in engineering.
A robotics engineering degree programme teaches you how to design and build robots. Your courses will teach you about mechanical and electrical engineering, chemistry, computer science, and physics. The type of robotics engineer you become depends on your educational background, industry experience, and the area of specialisation you choose. A robotics major can keep different robotics specialisations open to you.
While some employers may hire new graduates, many look for candidates with experience. One way to enter a career in robotics engineering is to get a job as a robotics technician first. To do this, you can earn a certificate or diploma by taking college courses. Earning a Level 3 Certificate in Robotics and Automation, a Level 4 Diploma in Computing, or a Higher National Certificate in Electrical or Electronic Engineering can provide you with the necessary qualifications for a technician position. After gaining experience, you can pursue further training to enter a role as an engineer.
Another way to enter the robotics field is through a degree apprenticeship in robotics. Apprenticeships in control and technical support engineering, software development, and electro-mechanical engineering can help you begin to develop field-specific skills. Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience working with robots and may help you build professional relationships with mentors who can guide you as you start your career.聽
Many employers prefer to hire applicants who have completed a master's or doctorate programme in robotics engineering or a related field. Graduate programmes allow you to gain valuable knowledge and skills through advanced coursework and research opportunities. Master鈥檚 programmes typically take one to two years, and doctoral degrees take three to six years.
Robotics engineers aren鈥檛 required to get licensure. However, earning professional credentials may improve your job prospects. For example, engineers can earn their Chartered Engineer (CEng) designation after completing theoretical and practical training requirements.
Careers in robotics engineering can be very rewarding. Here are some things to keep in mind as you consider this career path:
You鈥檒l need to commit yourself to lifelong learning. The world of technology is constantly changing and evolving. To remain competitive and relevant, you鈥檒l need to devote yourself to staying current with technological advancements.
Focus on solutions. You may encounter problems from time to time. When you do, you may need to be able to take a step back and focus on finding the solution rather than getting bogged down by the problem.
Robotics engineering could be the right career for you if:
You have a strong commitment to lifelong learning.
You thrive in an intellectually challenging environment.
You have high initiative, integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
You can prioritise competing demands and projects and organise your time effectively.
You have well-developed analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
Understanding the building blocks can help you start learning the fundamentals and technical skills of a robotics career. You may want to consider the Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control Specialisation offered by Northwestern or the Robotics Process Automation (RPA) Specialisation offered by UI Path on 糖心vlog官网观看.
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