1 Robotics or bits meet atoms

Software developers are experts in writing code, but applying these skills to physical robots presents a unique challenge. Robotics is the field where bits meet atoms or, put differently, where the virtual and physical worlds interact intimately. While traditional software operates in controlled digital environments, robot software must deal with the messy, unpredictable real world. It must acquire physical data through sensors, process it, and transform that data back into physical actions through actuators. This leap from writing purely digital software to writing robotics software requires a specialized set of skills.

1.1 Robots and other machines

1.2 Robotics: The big picture

1.2.1 Environment

1.2.2 Sensors

1.2.3 Sensing

1.2.4 Planning

1.2.5 Acting

1.2.6 Actuators

1.3 Robot software development lifecycle

1.4 What you will learn about robots

1.5 Summary