Foundations of Robotics Kinematics and Mathematics with MATLAB

Robotics is transforming industries worldwide, but behind every moving mechanical arm lies a foundation of precise mathematics. Understanding how robots calculate their position and movement in three-dimensional space is the critical first step to programming them effectively. This written course guides you through the core mathematical concepts and kinematic models used in modern robotics. You will transition from basic vector algebra to simulating robotic arm movements using MATLAB code snippets and structured written exercises. What you'll learn: Understand the fundamental coordinate transformations, rotation matrices, and homogeneous coordinates that define a robot's position; Apply forward and inverse kinematics to calculate joint angles and end-effector positions; Formulate Denavit-Hartenberg parameters to model multi-joint robotic manipulators; Explore modern kinematic representations, including screw theory and the product of exponentials formula; Write and analyze MATLAB scripts to simulate three-dimensional robotic motion and trajectory planning. The journey begins with essential mathematical definitions and coordinate frames before moving into complex kinematic chains and practical MATLAB implementations. You will study clear explanations and analyze structured code examples to build your confidence step by step. This course is designed for aspiring roboticists, engineering students, and software developers who are new to robotics math and want a clear, accessible path without complex prerequisites. Begin your journey into the mathematics of robotics and start modeling mechanical motion today.