Foundations of Robot Manipulation and Wheeled Mobile Robots

Robotics is transforming modern industry, but building and controlling these machines requires a solid grasp of mathematical modeling. This text-based course guides you through the foundational physics and mathematics that power both robotic arms and wheeled vehicles. You will transition from understanding basic coordinate transformations to modeling complex manipulation tasks and mobile robot trajectories. By working through clear explanations and written derivation exercises, you will gain the confidence to analyze and design control algorithms for modern robotic systems. What you'll learn: Understand coordinate frames, rotations, and homogeneous transformations; Derive forward and inverse kinematics for robotic manipulators; Model the kinematics and dynamics of wheeled mobile robots; Apply trajectory generation and motion planning algorithms to avoid obstacles; Analyze feedback control strategies for stable robot navigation; Explore modern concepts in robotic operating systems and simulation workflows. This course begins with essential mathematical definitions and spatial representations before moving into practical kinematic modeling. You will then explore how to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, including robotic arm manipulation and wheeled robot navigation. Designed for aspiring roboticists, engineering students, and developers new to robotics, this course requires only basic algebra and physics. Start reading today to build your foundational knowledge in modern robotics.