Become A Robotics Software Engineer

Demand for software engineers with the right skills in robotics far exceeds the current supply of qualified talent. This makes this an ideal time to enter this field, and this groundbreaking program represents a unique opportunity to develop in-demand skills.

Expert instructors and detailed project reviews are among hallmarks of this Nanodegree program, and in collaboration with the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute—one of the most exciting and innovative companies in the world—we have built an unrivalled curriculum that offers a cutting-edge learning experience.

You will graduate from this Nanodegree program having completed several hands-on robotics projects in simulation that will serve as portfolio pieces demonstrating acquired skills. These skills will enable you to pursue a rewarding career in the robotics field.

Over the course of the Nanodegree program, you'll also have the opportunity to learn about robotics hardware such as the NVIDIA Jetson TX2 Developer Kit.  Eligible students will also have access to a special education discount on the Jetson TX2 through our collaboration with NVIDIA.

For anyone seeking to launch or advance a career as a Robotics Software Engineer, and who wishes to be a part of the incredible world of robotics, this is the ideal program.

As a Robotics Software Engineer, you'll be equipped to bring value to a wide array of industries.

Robotics Software Engineers opportunities might include:

• developing pick and place robotics systems for advanced manufacturing;
• developing the next surgical robot for the healthcare industry;
• building the next form of package delivery either on the ground or in the air.

The Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program provides an introduction to software and artificial intelligence as applied to robotics. The areas we focus on are perception, localization, path planning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and control. These are taught using the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework. All of the techniques required to complete the projects in the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program (including machine learning) are taught as part of the program.

The Machine Learning Engineer Nanodegree program is the most general of the three programs. It offers a great foundation, and is an excellent choice for anyone pursuing a career in a field where machine learning techniques are used. However, the curriculum is not as advanced or specialized as the other two programs.

The Self-Driving Car Engineer Nanodegree program focuses entirely on a specialized application of robotics—it uses robotics concepts and applies them to a self-driving car. If your primary interest is in the application of robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to autonomous vehicles, then this is the program for you. However, if you want a broader and more comprehensive robotics curriculum, with an emphasis on software engineering, then the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program is your best option.

Note: The Machine Learning Engineer program is not a prerequisite for either the Self-Driving Car or Robotics Software Engineer programs, but it may be beneficial to some students to complete this program first, depending on your existing knowledge and experience.

To succeed in this Nanodegree program, you need to have significant experience with:

• Calculus and Linear Algebra
• Statistics and Probability
• Intermediate Python
• Unix/Linux Command Line Basics
• Basic Physics (Newtonian Mechanics)
• English Skills

Background in the following is recommended but not required:

• Intermediate C++
• Programming for ROS
• Machine Learning

We have a number of Nanodegree programs and free courses that can help you prepare, including:

• Machine Learning Engineer Nanodegree program, by Udacity
• AI for Robotics, by Udacity
• Programming Foundations with Python, by Udacity
• C++ tutorial, by Sololearn
• Linux Command Line Basics, by Udacity
• Statistics and Probability, by Khan Academy
• Linear Algebra, by Khan Academy
• Multivariable Calculus, by Khan Academy
• ROS Tutorials

The program is comprised of two (2) terms of four (4) months with fixed start and end dates. Students must successfully complete all assigned projects by the end date for each term to graduate from the full Nanodegree program. There are either 4 or 5 projects per Term, which give you an opportunity to apply the skills you've learned.

To graduate, students must successfully complete the required projects, which give you the opportunity to apply and demonstrate new skills that you learn in the lessons. Each project will be reviewed by the Udacity reviewer network and platform. Feedback will be provided, and if you do not pass the project, you will be asked to resubmit the project until it passes.

Access to this Nanodegree program runs for the period noted in the Term length section above.
See the Terms of Use and FAQs for other policies around the terms of access to our Nanodegree programs.

Please see the Udacity Nanodegree program FAQs found here for policies on enrollment in our programs.

The full program consists of two 4-month long Terms at a cost of USD $1199 and $1199, for a total program cost of USD $2398.Payment is due before the term begins.

The core of this Nanodegree program focuses on robotics applications in software. You can master the  skills, and complete every project, while focusing entirely on software, and working in simulation.

We are also excited that our collaboration with NVIDIA DLI makes it possible for eligible Term 2 students to receive an education discount that can be applied to the purchase of an NVIDIA Jetson TX2 Developer Kit! Eligible students are encouraged to take advantage of this special offer, as this embedded supercomputing platform will enable you to take classroom projects (and your own personal projects) out of simulation and bring them into real-world scenarios.