How to Become a Robotics Engineer

Program overview: Why should I take this program?

• Why should I enroll?

  Demand for software engineers with advanced robotics skills far exceeds the current supply of qualified talent. This makes this an ideal time to pursue career advancement in this field, and this program represents a great opportunity to develop and practice core robotics skills such as C++, ROS, and probabilistic robotics algorithms such as Localization, Mapping, SLAM, Path Planning and Navigation.

  You will graduate from this Nanodegree program having completed five hands-on robotics projects in the Gazebo simulator; these will serve as portfolio pieces demonstrating your acquired skills to hiring managers and recruiters. These skills will help you pursue and advance a career in the robotics field.

• What jobs will this program prepare me for?

  As a Robotics Software Engineer, you'll be equipped to bring value to a wide array of industries and be eligible for many roles.

  Your 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.
  • designing exploratory robots that can be deployed to discover new planets.
  • designing rescue robots to assist people in disasters.

• How do I know if this program is right for me?

  The Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program is designed for those looking to pursue or advance a career in the robotics field. In this program, you will learn and practice the core robotics skills that employers have told us serve as the foundation for the work robotics engineers do: C++, ROS, Gazebo, and robotics algorithms such as Localization, Mapping, SLAM, Path Planning, and Navigation amongst others.

  If you want to work in a field where you get to see your solutions come to life, and solve some of the world’s most difficult and exciting problems, the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program is right for you.

• How is the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program different from your Machine Learning Engineer Nanodegree program or your Self-Driving Car Engineer Nanodegree program?

  The Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program focuses on teaching the core robotics skills needed for a successful robotics software engineering career. The program focuses on Localization, Mapping, SLAM, Path Planning, and Navigation. These are taught using C++ and the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework.

  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 to learn and practice core robotics skills in C++ and ROS, with an emphasis on robotics algorithms, then the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program is your best option.

• I have graduated from the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program but I want to keep learning. Where should I go from here?

  Both our Self-Driving Car Engineer and Flying Car and Autonomous Flight Engineer Nanodegree programs address specific areas of robotics and autonomous systems. If you want to continue your education either on the ground or in the air, take one of these exciting Nanodegree programs next!

Enrollment and admission

• Do I need to apply? What are the admission criteria?

  There is no application. This Nanodegree program accepts everyone, regardless of experience and specific background.

• What are the prerequisites for enrollment?

  To succeed in this Nanodegree program, you should have experience with the following:

  • Advanced knowledge in any object-oriented programming language, preferably C++
  • Intermediate Probability
  • Intermediate Calculus
  • Intermediate Linear Algebra
  • Basic Linux Command Lines

• If I do not meet the requirements to enroll, what should I do?

  We created the Intro to Self-Driving Cars Nanodegree program to help prepare prospective students for more advanced programs. That introductory program will teach you the skills you need to be successful in the Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program, including C++, linear algebra, calculus, and statistics.

Tuition and term of program

• How is this Nanodegree program structured?

  The Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree program is comprised of content and curriculum to support five (5) projects. We estimate that students can complete the program in four (4) months, working 10 hours per week.

  Each project will be reviewed by the Udacity reviewer network. Feedback will be provided and if you do not pass the project, you will be asked to resubmit the project until it passes.

• How long is this Nanodegree program?

  Access to this Nanodegree program runs for the length of time specified above. If you do not graduate within that time period, you will continue learning with month-to-month payments. See the Terms of Use and FAQs for other policies regarding the terms of access to our Nanodegree programs.

• Can I switch my start date? Can I get a refund?

  Please see the Udacity Program FAQs for policies on enrollment in our programs.

Software and hardware: What do I need for this program?

• What special hardware will I need in this program?

  The core of this Nanodegree program focuses on robotics applications in software. You will learn and practice robotics skills using the Gazebo simulator.

• What software and versions will I need in this program?

  For this Nanodegree program, you will use the Robot Operating System (ROS) and Gazebo. You will code primarily with C++. These platforms and languages are freely available.

  We will provide you with a GPU-enabled Linux Workspace that runs in your browser, and an internet connection is required. Optionally, you can install the Linux image on a Virtual Machine.