Systems Thinking
Define what makes a system a robot and trace how sensing, decision logic, actuation, and feedback interact.
Course
Robotics I: Foundations of Robotic Systems
First-year college-level robotics built on real science and real math. Covers sense-think-act systems, DC circuits and Ohm's Law, Newton's Laws and torque, microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, structured programming, and a full mobile robot capstone. Platform-agnostic engineering fundamentals.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Electronics Engineering
Units
12
Lessons
36
Labs
36
Assessments
36
Estimated Length
180h estimated
What You'll Learn
Core concepts and engineering habits developed across the pathway.
Mechanical Reasoning
Analyze forces, torque, gearing, and structure so robot mechanisms are built on engineering tradeoffs instead of guesswork.
Electrical Foundations
Model voltage, current, power, and safe power distribution across motors, controllers, and sensors.
Programming and Sensors
Write reliable control logic, integrate sensors, and debug reactive robot behavior using evidence.
Integration and Documentation
Assemble a full robot system, troubleshoot failures, and defend design decisions with technical documentation.
Course Pathway
Structured blocks with one recommended unit expanded by default.
Block 1
Foundations
Core system definitions, safe workflow, and engineering habits that support the rest of the course.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
01
Unit 1
Continue HereWhat Is a Robot? Systems Thinking
Define what makes a system a robot using the sense-think-act feedback loop. Identify the five core robot subsystems, distinguish open-loop from closed-loop behavior, and apply the engineering design process to constrained problems.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
Learning Outcomes
- Define what makes a system a robot using the sense-think-act feedback loop
- Identify the five core robot subsystems, distinguish open-loop from closed-loop behavior, and apply the engineering design process to constrained problems
References / Standards
9-12 Grade LVLSelf-Paced
Lab / Practice
3 embedded labs or applied exercises move this unit from theory into build, testing, or analysis work.
Assessment
3 mastery checks help verify understanding before the next block of the pathway.
02
Unit 2
Safety, Tools, and Engineering Lab Workflow
Apply safe tool use, battery and power management, and hazard identification protocols to a real lab environment. Develop professional documentation habits and structured lab workflow that transfer to any engineering context.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
Block 2
Mechanical Systems
Force, chassis, torque, and gearing for robot structures that actually work under load.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
03
Unit 3
Mechanical Foundations I — Forces, Structure, and Chassis
Apply Newton's Laws and free body diagrams to robot chassis loading. Analyze traction, friction (Ff = μN), wheel-ground contact, and load distribution. Design stable robot structures using stiffness and strength reasoning.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
04
Unit 4
Mechanical Foundations II — Torque, Gears, and Mechanical Advantage
Calculate torque (τ = F × r), gear ratios (N_out/N_in), and mechanical advantage for drivetrains and arm mechanisms. Analyze speed-torque tradeoffs and apply lever, pulley, and linkage principles to robot design decisions.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner
Opens at lesson 1
Block 3
Electrical Systems
Electrical energy, component behavior, and safe power planning for mobile robots.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
05
Unit 5
Electricity for Robotics I — Circuits, Ohm's Law, and Power
Apply Ohm's Law (V = IR) and power equations (P = VI, P = I²R, P = V²/R) to robot electrical systems. Build and analyze series and parallel circuits. Use a multimeter to measure voltage, current, and continuity.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
06
Unit 6
Electricity for Robotics II — Power Distribution, Batteries, and Safe Wiring
Design safe DC power distribution for a multi-subsystem robot. Analyze battery capacity, voltage sag under load, and power budget planning. Apply wiring standards, polarity protection, and fusing to real robot electrical systems.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
Block 4
Control, Motion, and Sensing
Motors, software, and sensor-driven logic that make behavior intentional and testable.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
07
Unit 7
Actuators and Motion Output — Motors, Drivers, and Control
Compare DC motors, servos, and stepper motors by torque curve, back-EMF, and control method. Use motor driver hardware correctly. Calculate required torque from load, match actuator to mechanical requirements, and command direction and speed through a controller.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
08
Unit 8
Programming Robotic Behavior
Write structured robot programs using variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and state logic. Implement sensor-driven reactive behaviors. Apply systematic debugging strategies and iterative testing to validate robot behavior.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate
Opens at lesson 1
09
Unit 9
Sensors in Robotics — Types, Calibration, and Signal Interpretation
Classify sensors by output type (analog/digital), working principle, and application. Calibrate sensors, interpret noisy data, and set effective thresholds. Use encoders to measure motion. Evaluate sensor placement and failure modes.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
Block 5
Integration and Capstone
Bring subsystems together, verify performance, and document the full engineering process.
Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.
10
Unit 10
Robot Integration — Assembling and Tuning Complete Systems
Integrate mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems into a functioning robot. Apply systematic assembly procedures, perform sensor and actuator calibration, and run structured integration tests to verify subsystem interactions.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
11
Unit 11
Troubleshooting and Repair — Systematic Fault Diagnosis
Apply structured fault isolation methods to diagnose mechanical, electrical, and software failures. Use test equipment and divide-and-conquer reasoning to identify root causes. Distinguish symptoms from causes and document repairs.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
12
Unit 12
Documentation and Capstone — Full Mobile Robot Project
Design, build, wire, program, test, and document a complete mobile robot integrating all course subsystems. Demonstrate structured iteration, systematic troubleshooting, and clear engineering documentation through a final demonstration and technical presentation.
3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced
Opens at lesson 1
Featured Labs
Differential Drive Basics
Use the native Robotnix ground-robot runtime to compare wheel-speed commands against heading and position telemetry.
35 minBeginner
Tank Drive vs Arcade Drive
Evaluate control mapping trade-offs using the Robotnix ground-robot mission runtime.
30 minBeginner
Ultrasonic Obstacle Navigation
Use the Robotnix ground-robot mission shell to analyze threshold-based obstacle handling and telemetry response.
35 minIntermediate
Line Following PID
Tune controller behavior and observe oscillation/settling trade-offs in the Robotnix ground-robot lab runner.
40 minIntermediate
Course Resources
NJ Standards Alignment
8.2.12.ED.18.2.12.ED.58.1.12.AP.39.4.12.CT.29.4.12.TL.3
A rigorous first-year robotics course built on real science, real math, and real engineering design. Students learn what makes a system a robot, how electricity and mechanics govern robot behavior, how to program sensor-driven systems, and how to build and document a complete mobile robot. Platform-agnostic engineering fundamentals — no brand dependencies.