What does a career as a robotics engineer look like?

I'm really fascinated by robots and how they work. Can anyone tell me what being a robotics engineer involves? I want to know about the skills I need and what kind of projects I might work on.

Robotics engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field, involving elements of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science - the three key components of any robot.

As a robotics engineer, you’ll be involved in designing, testing, and applying robots and robotic systems. Depending on the area you specialize in, your tasks might include writing software to control the robot, designing hardware that makes up the robot's body, or developing algorithms that help the robot process information and make decisions.

Let's say, for example, you're working in a company that designs automated delivery robots. Your task might be to develop an algorithm that allows the robot to sense its surroundings and plan its route, avoiding any obstacles it encounters.

In terms of skills needed, you would need a solid grounding in math and physics, as well as expertise in areas like control systems, microprocessors, and computer programming. Languages like Python or C++ are commonly used in robotics. Skills in problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork are also highly prized, considering the nature of the work and collaborative environment.

To get an idea of the various avenues that a career in robotics engineering can take you, consider a warehouse that uses automated machines to sort packages, or a film production that uses a robotic camera for complex tracking shots, or development of prosthetics that mimic the functions of a human arm. Each of these scenarios requires the skills and expertise of a robotics engineer.

Overall, a career in robotics engineering can be very rewarding and exciting, especially given how rapidly technology is advancing. Working in this field means you'll often be at the forefront of new technological developments, shaping the ways in which we interact with the world around us.