Robots have always been associated with the future, and to most people the creation of machines which can execute seemingly complex commands is both exciting and complex. Yet the future has arrived in many ways; AI has begun to permeate many industries, and the skill of robotics is not only relevant and practical, but accessible. With dedication to learning – and specialty electronic parts from an online seller – you can use these tips to take an interest in robots and automation to the next level.
Cover the fundamentals
Anyone can pick up useful skills in their spare time, and the proliferation of online information makes it possible to find tutorials ranging from beginner to advanced level in just about any subject matter – whether it’s a free video on YouTube or a carefully-designed curriculum on Coursera or Udemy. Nonetheless, learning robotics may present a greater challenge for many. You’ll need to have a good grasp of fundamental knowledge – not just in C++ or Python coding, but also physics, algebra, geometry, and electronics. Robotics is a complex and multidisciplinary skill, so while you don’t need to be an expert in those areas, some level of competence in each field is necessary to make progress in your efforts. If you’re naturally inclined to be a jack-of-all-trades, then you can best enjoy the process of learning and putting things together.
Join a community
While you can get started in robotics with online tutorials and simple projects to accomplish in your spare time, the complexity and developing nature of this field make it difficult to sustain progress on your own. A solo effort to learn a musical instrument will eventually pay off given enough practice, but for robotics the importance of feedback and collaboration becomes even more significant. Become part of a community of enthusiasts and you open up the possibility of learning from a mentor, shadowing a skilled team at work, and learning from the diverse backgrounds of fellow beginners and hobbyists. You can gain pointers on cleaning up messy patches of code and get the chance to participate in bigger, more ambitious projects – even in a small role. Keeping in mind that you’re probably getting into robotics out of casual interest – at least initially – then it makes sense to get as much help as possible in your efforts to learn.
Look for applications
Having an uncommon skill like robotics under your belt can certainly open up new job opportunities and set you apart – provided you’re building towards a career in the right industry. Even if you don’t have the sort of expertise to build a production-ready robot that can be deployed on the manufacturing floor, competence in robotics can distinguish you as a candidate for managing industrial robots and security systems, for example.
Other than possibly aiding in your job applications, robotics can still prove valuable as a hobby. While many people who love computers indulge in video games for amusement, you can be among the few people capable of building their own devices for entertainment. You could also create simple robots with practical applications around the home, such as removing debris from gutters or cleaning out other hard-to-reach areas – saving on time and effort doing chores isn’t a bad payoff for what started out as a mere hobby.
Robotics is a fascinating hobby which can be challenging to learn, but with these steps you can begin to master a rare and complex skill that can be applied in many useful ways.