Introduction to Robotics Provided by MIT Open Courseware

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, is the most prestigious technological university in the United States. The average GPA at MIT is 4.17, implying that you must be near the top of your class to be considered. Fortunately for those with lower GPAs, MIT Open Courseware allows students who do not attend the university to take some of their courses for free. This Introduction to Robotics course was originally taught in the Fall of 2005, but the syllabus, lectures, and course materials are now freely available to students.

The best online robotics course provides students with an overview of key robotics concepts they will need to know as they progress, such as mechanisms, dynamics, and intelligent controls. Other topics covered in the course include motion planning, 3D simulation, embedded software, human-machine interface, and more. The course also includes two hands-on robotics projects in which students will be able to build two robots, one of which will be designed to perform navigation and manipulation for disaster response purposes. This is a comprehensive course that will leave students feeling challenged and impressed with their robotics knowledge.

• Pros:
  • Start anytime and go at your own pace
  • Offered by one of the USA’s most prestigious universities
  • Offers the opportunity for two hands-on robotics projects
• Cons:
  • No certificate of completion

Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Approximately one semester
Curriculum: Beginner
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Website: ocw.mit.edu/courses/2-12-introduction-to-robotics-fall-2005/