Can You Teach Yourself Robotics?
Robotics is a fascinating field that many people want to explore because it has such a bright future. But if you haven’t studied for it, can you teach yourself robotics?
You can teach yourself robotics, but it takes a lot of time and dedication. A person who wants to work in this field would have to understand coding, different areas of mathematics, and physics. It helps if you have some background in these subjects.
Of course, there’s more to robotics than just that, although the mentioned fields are the basis for a strong learning experience. If you are interested in robotics, read on to learn how to get started and what to pay attention to.
How to Start Learning Robotics on Your Own
Robotics is a complex subject, but if you are truly dedicated, you can learn it on your own. Of course, it helps if you have some experience or knowledge in sciences like math, computer programming, physics, engineering, etc., but you could also start from scratch.
Coding
For one, basic coding is one of the most important aspects of your learning process. You will need to learn some basic coding like using functions, variables, creating conditional statements, and so on, so get started with that.
There are numerous programming languages to choose from, although you would do best by starting out in Python or C++. Explore these languages a bit and see if there’s a different language that might give you a better start.
Algebra
Linear algebra is the key field of math to explore since it will give you a nice boost for when you actually start building robots. So, invest some time to learn it and practice daily to get used to the formulas and basic principles. Algebra, in general, is very useful, so it wouldn’t hurt if you dedicated yourself to learning it.
If you are in school, pay close attention to these subjects and practice in your free time as well. If you are already out of school but want to learn, sign up for some courses, or get a private tutor to learn with more ease.
Physics
Physics is a nice subject to learn when you want to get into robotics. You need to understand how a robot can move and what it takes to get it there. Physics is, thus, a central piece in your learning experience.
It’s not the easiest subject to learn, but with some time and good guidance from a professor or a mentor who can point you in the right direction, you should be able to learn. While getting help from someone doesn’t technically mean that you are learning on your own, you are still not getting a full education, but rather a boost in one subject.
How Long Does It Take to Teach Yourself Robotics?
Robotics is a complex subject, and as such, it will take a lot of time to grasp it completely. Formal educational robotics programs last for about five years. So, you can expect to spend at least that much time learning this subject.
It will help if you have a strong basis in math, specifically algebra, physics, coding, and computer sciences. Then, your learning experience can be much faster. If you are starting from scratch without any previous interest or knowledge in the subjects listed above, it may take you more than five years.
Of course, it all depends on how much time and effort you are willing to dedicate. With several hours every day, you will learn faster than someone studying once or twice a week. The more you are willing to work, the better and faster you’ll be.
But, in the end, it isn’t about the speed of learning. It’s about the quality of your knowledge. If you immerse yourself in this field, reading about it, always learning new things, and staying open to criticism while dedicating enough time to it, you shouldn’t worry about the amount of time it takes.
Tips for how to Teach Yourself Robotics
Learning robotics isn’t easy, but with some nifty tips, you could make the journey easier.
Spend Some Time Learning About Electronics
Electronics are one of the most important aspects of building a robot, so you have to know the basics at the very least, even though it may not be as fun. You won’t need to be an expert or anything, but it does help when you know some basic aspects that you can apply to your learning process.
Look up tutorials online, and read some books or articles. Practice on some real objects because nothing beats that palpable knowledge. It will make your learning process and understanding of robotics a lot easier.
Read a Lot
While the world is turning to video more and more, books still have a valuable spot in the mechanics of learning. And the sooner you start forming your library, the sooner you’ll start to get a better grasp on this subject.
Fortunately, there are many books on robotics out there, and by some excellent authors. Start with beginner guides, and then dive in deeper, getting more detailed books geared towards experts. Getting robotics magazines is another good idea, as is looking up robotics websites online, which are usually full of great tips and advice.
Don’t Lose Yourself in Big Projects
Robotics is swarming with possibilities, and as soon as you learn some basics, you’ll probably want to get into it and start working on something big and important. However, this can put you off robotics for good because these projects usually take a lot of time, and they take more than one person.
Start with some smaller projects. Purchase a robotics kit and build that. Work on something simple that can still help you practice your skills. You won’t become an expert overnight, but these mini-projects can help you advance. If your heart is set on something bigger, maybe you can connect with other people into robotics and create that project. It could be a fantastic learning experience.
Work on Your Skills Constantly
It can be scary to start building a robot, but you need to put in the work in order to succeed, so don’t hesitate to work on as many projects as you can. Don’t be embarrassed to share your work; find contests and then enter them. This can help you learn a lot, and it can give you a chance to meet some great people. You will be more motivated as well.
Invest a certain amount of time each day into robotics and make sure that you are focused and dedicated. Incremental progress, when it’s continuous, amounts to big changes after a while. So, don’t let doubt or any mindless activities stand between you and your dreams.
Conclusion
How to teach yourself robotics may be a difficult field, but with time and dedication, you can learn how to build robots on your own. Start small and keep your eye on the goals that you have. Learn the basics that will help you build robots and dive in deeper, learning more and more intricate details about robotics.
Remember that community is always good. Sign up to some forums for robotics or social media communities, and don’t be shy. Reach out to people and ask questions, showcase your products, and see what other people are doing. All of this can help you learn, but also make some like-minded friends. Invest in good parts for your robots, as it will save you a lot of time and annoyance.
The typical robotics program at a university may take 5 years. That doesn’t mean it will take that long on your own. For starters the professors can only move so fast. Classroom learning tends to be slow already. There’s also the fact college curriculum is bloated with elective courses that take up usually 2 years of your time at university. Therefore the robotics programs stripped of these unnecessary classes would be around 2-3 years not 5 or more. If you have the ability learning on your own can be far faster. I learned algebra, trigonometry and precalculus, and calculus in a few months. There’
Thanks for the information, I’ll be sure to try out learning on my own