Getting Started as a Robotics Software Engineer!

Do you want to learn how to become a robotics software engineer? In this video I tell you how to get started - what to buy and what to practise. I talk about what hardware to buy and how to start learning your first programming language, then recommend a couple of robot kits to get some actual hardware and finish with some general advice.
#learning #robotics #gettingstarted #software #softwareengineer
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Chapter times:
00:00 Introduction
00:14 Who is this video for?
00:41 Who am I?
01:39 What do I need to buy?
02:17 How do I learn to program?
05:25 What about programming robots?
08:33 General Advice
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Video links:
Using a WaveShare JetBot playlist: • Using a WaveShare JetBot
Atlas Gets a Grip | Boston Dynamics by Boston Dynamics: • Atlas Gets a Grip | Bo...
What's New in Spot Release 3.3 | Boston Dynamics by Boston Dynamics: • What's New in Spot Rel...
A Day in the Life of a Starship Robot by Starship Technologies: • A Day in the Life of a...
Gazebo Simulator: GUI Explained - Part II by Robotogeddon: • Gazebo Simulator: GUI ...
Narrowing the Sim2Real Gap with NVIDIA Isaac Sim by NVIDIA: • Narrowing the Sim2Real...
Turtlebot LiDAR Reinforcement Learning by West Point Robotics: • Turtlebot LiDAR Reinfo...
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Links:
Codecademy: www.codecademy.com/
LeetCode: leetcode.com/
Project Euler: projecteuler.net/
Git (Version Control): git-scm.com/
ROS: www.ros.org/
Gazebo: gazebosim.org/home
Isaac SIM: developer.nvidia.com/isaac-sim
Nucleo Dev Kit (Amazon): www.amazon.com/NUCLEO-F302R8-...
Elegoo Robot Kit (Amazon): www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Trackin...
Jetbot (Waveshare): www.waveshare.com/jetbot-ai-k...
Turtlebot (Robotics): www.robotis.us/turtlebot-3-bu...
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Socials:
Reddit: / mikelikesrobots
X: / mikesrobots
LinkedIn: / michael-hart-a7614262
AWS Community: community.aws/@mikelikesrobots
My Blog: mikelikesrobots.github.io

[@KillerRobotz]

I been testing ros2 and gazebo for simulation and setting joints

[@greyskull-ww4of]

Thank you mike great video! if u have time please make more videos of you developing projects in ROS.

[@mikelikesrobots]

That's the plan! I'd love to do more with ROS, like showing how the nav stack works.

[@jackychan4640]

Thanks for your video and your explanation

[@mikelikesrobots]

You're welcome! Good luck finding a mentor and picking a good project!

[@2014akhan]

Thank you! Keep making videos!

[@mikelikesrobots]

Glad you liked it! Let me know if you have questions :D

[@Obzrve]

Thanks for tips. Im glad I found this channel. I’m currently a computer science student. I have 5 years experience as an electrical control system technician. I have been tinkering with arduino and microcontrollers for years. I’m currently learning Java at school. But learned python at work. Finally understanding classes and methods for oop. I been thinking about but a kit with the jetson nano. I want to work in farmbot industry.

[@mikelikesrobots]

You're welcome! I encourage you to buy something and experiment for yourself - have fun with it. If you have experience with electrical control systems, arduino, and microcontrollers, you might be well equipped to build your own robot from scratch with that STM NUCLEO board I show in the video. Good luck!

[@martinjh4448]

Great advice for the beginners. I have just started my masters in robotics in uk

[@mikelikesrobots]

Good luck, and keep building those projects - the more, the better!

[@heerthirajah1661]

awesome. thank you so much for the video

[@mikelikesrobots]

Glad it was helpful! Time to start the journey :)

[@heerthirajah1661]

@@mikelikesrobots yep. Working on plan.

[@sagnikghatak1614]

Just started learning ROS a few days ago and youtube could not have recommended me a better video. As a Master's student in autonomous systems with no clarity on what to do, this video provided me with some great insight and tools.👍 How do i connect with you on linkedin?

[@mikelikesrobots]

Really glad you liked it! Let me know if you have any questions. As for LinkedIn, my account is linked on my profile, you can follow me there!

[@kartikeyyendhe1840]

Thankyou, it really helpfull for me! please could you make videos on embedded systems??

[@mikelikesrobots]

I'm glad it was helpful! I'd love to cover some embedded systems at some point, maybe for a custom robot build - I'll keep it in mind that you asked :-)

[@amazing007-ll9kw]

the best

[@arpitmishra8996]

good video

[@mikelikesrobots]

Thank you!

[@KillerRobotz]

I got a hi wonder humanoid robot , i need to know how to make a urdf file that i can just replace and update to make the robot move n scan on its own , i wanna do python but its a xarco file or urdf

[@mikelikesrobots]

You'll need a xacro/urdf file for ROS to understand how the robot joints etc relate to each other. As to HOW to make that file, that's a lot of info to give in a comment! I don't have a video on building URDF from scratch, so you may need to look on other channels, such as Articulated Robotics.

[@KillerRobotz]

@@mikelikesrobots i know its alot , but i have phind , its like chat gpt but better it helps with most programming questions

[@KillerRobotz]

@@mikelikesrobots thank you i will check articulated robotics

[@trayjobe6995]

Im wanting to go from a Network Engineer to Robotics Engineer. I am currently learning Python. My plan is to learn python basics using the Python Crash Course book, afterwards, I want to start learning as many projects as I can. Then, as I get proficient in Python, maybe start learning c++ while still using python as practice to say fresh there as well. You recommend waiting to learn c++ before getting a jetbot or I may be able to do some things w python as well ?

[@mikelikesrobots]

It's great you're picking up Python! You'll be able to write most robotics code in Python - it's only when you get to writing motor controllers or something very low level that you'll need C++. I'd recommend sticking to Python for now, and when you're feeling more confident, try learning C++ as well. If you want to see more JetBot info, I have a playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLBrq1OKRHMwXE9nNaaN7SMofoYJcqAqCj&si=FIcVDEnObPXxskeI

[@jonathans3021]

Thank you for the helpful video!! Question, would you say a strong level of theoretical knowledge is mandatory for being a Robotics Software Engineer? I often find myself comfortable with the basic concepts in localization and navigation, but creating my own SLAM algorithm using a 3D LiDAR for instance is beyond me at this point. Is this perhaps more of a perception engineer and a robotics software engineer works on a different aspect of things?

[@mikelikesrobots]

You're welcome! As for theoretical knowledge, it depends on your role and experience. I would expect a new robotics engineer to know very little, but be prepared to learn on the job, assuming they had the software development skills. The more theory and mathematics they know, the better they'll understand their application and avoid mistakes. So, for an experienced engineer, it absolutely is mandatory; for a graduate, they can learn through studying or on the job, but they will need to learn at some point to be effective. I would only expect an experienced perception engineer to be capable of building their own SLAM algorithm, not a standard robotics engineer or newer perception engineer. Basically, that's specialist knowledge, and a perception engineer is a robotics engineer specialising in perception. If that's your target, working through the mathematics and algorithms for SLAM would be a great idea!

[@jonathans3021]

@@mikelikesrobots Thank you for the helpful answer! Clears up a lot of my confusion as a soon to be new grad 😁

[@DrDrunk-wj7kd]

Hey there..... Dont know if you would reply but I need some guidance/help to start my carrer in robotics software engineer..... Currently i am in second year IT engineer ... I do not have a path or a mentor..... But i try to learn new things.... Made risc v 32 bit i processor on fpga

[@mikelikesrobots]

It's great you made the processor! That's advanced stuff. Is there anything beyond what's in the video? Pick a project you love & practise it, and with enough work you'll be able to find an internship and start your career.

[@DrDrunk-wj7kd]

Thaks for the reply...... But In which course I need to do my master? Aslo can we connect on linkdin i have sent you connection request

[@mikelikesrobots]

If you can find a robotics course, that's a good option. If you're in IT Engineering, you could see if computer science is an option. I would suggest talking to your professors for your best next step!

[@dubaifatimaali]

I use leet code for challenges to improve my programming skills in all languages. Taught 100+ students awarded by academies of US for best coding educator has improved my programming skills within years as well. Thanks for your video. Also I teach robotics and its get more interesting everytime when you get to do projects with students. I wish to do online Masters in Robotics and AI. @Mike Likes Robots or If anyone knows any university which is offering online MS in Robotics please let me know in comments. I would really appreciate it. I can't attend regular one. So online would be best for me.

[@mikelikesrobots]

That's great that Leetcode works so well for you! I still wouldn't advise using it for beginners - it's harder to stay motivated than building your own passion project. As for online Masters, I'm afraid I can't help, I don't know anything in that area.