Course

Robotics II: Intelligent Systems, Control, and Design

Second-year college-level robotics built on real control theory and motion math. Covers system architecture, finite state machines, PID control, differential drive kinematics, sensor fusion, autonomous navigation, mechanism design, and a validated capstone system. No platform dependency - pure engineering.

Prerequisite: Robotics I or equivalent systems and programming experience

View Course Pathway

Units

Lessons

Labs

Assessments

Estimated Length

180h estimated

What You'll Learn

Core concepts and engineering habits developed across the pathway.

Architecture and Requirements

Design robotic systems from interfaces, constraints, and specifications before any fabrication begins.

Advanced Mechanisms

Evaluate tolerances, loads, manufacturability, and custom mechanism tradeoffs with professional reasoning.

Control and Motion Math

Apply PID, kinematics, odometry, and feedback control to predictable robot motion.

Sensing and Autonomy

Use noisy sensor streams, state machines, and decision logic to build autonomous routines under uncertainty.

Validation and Optimization

Use data, repeatable testing, and real-world constraints to prove a robot is reliable enough to trust.

Course Pathway

Structured blocks with one recommended unit expanded by default.

Block 1

Systems Engineering

Architecture, requirements, and system decomposition before design execution.

Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.

Unit 1

Continue Here

Robotic System Architecture and Design

Design complete robotic systems from requirements. Apply functional decomposition, subsystem interface planning, and modular design principles. Produce architecture diagrams, interface charts, and requirement specifications that drive all subsequent engineering decisions.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner

Opens at lesson 1

Learning Outcomes

Design complete robotic systems from requirements
Apply functional decomposition, subsystem interface planning, and modular design principles
Produce architecture diagrams, interface charts, and requirement specifications that drive all subsequent engineering decisions

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.

Block 2

Mechanical Design and Build

Advanced mechanism design, CAD, fit, tolerance, and physical build verification.

Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.

Unit 2

Advanced Mechanical Design I — CAD, Tolerances, and Mechanism Selection

Use CAD tools to design robot mechanisms with explicit tolerances and fit specifications. Apply stress analysis concepts (σ = F/A, safety factor) to mechanism design. Evaluate linkage, gear, and structural choices using engineering tradeoffs rather than preference.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 3

Advanced Mechanical Design II — Custom Mechanisms and Optimization

Design and analyze custom robot mechanisms including arms, lifts, and grippers. Apply force and torque analysis to joints and linkages. Optimize mechanisms for performance, weight, and manufacturability using evidence-based tradeoff reasoning.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 4

Precision Build and CAD-to-Physical Workflow

Link digital CAD design to physical construction through tolerance verification, measurement, and iterative fit testing. Apply professional assembly procedures and document the gap between intended and actual dimensions.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedBeginner

Opens at lesson 1

Block 3

Software, Control, and Sensors

Structured programming, feedback control, and sensor integration for robust behavior.

Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.

Unit 5

Structured Programming for Robotics — FSMs, Modules, and Diagnostics

Write modular, maintainable robot programs using abstraction, reusable functions, and clear separation of concerns. Implement finite state machines (FSMs) for multi-state robot behavior. Apply diagnostic logging, serial monitoring, and systematic code-level debugging.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 6

Motion Control, Feedback, and Kinematics

Implement closed-loop feedback control: error, setpoint, stability, overshoot, and full PID control with discrete-time formulation. Apply kinematic equations (v = ωr, differential drive math) and encoder-based odometry for pose estimation. Tune controllers empirically using structured test procedures.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 7

Advanced Sensing and Sensor Integration

Analyze sensor uncertainty, noise, and drift. Apply filtering techniques to noisy sensor data. Use encoders and IMUs to track motion over time. Implement multi-sensor decision making and understand sensor fusion conceptually. Introduce camera-based sensing concepts.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate

Opens at lesson 1

Block 4

Autonomous Behavior

Task sequencing, localization, and adaptive decision making in non-ideal environments.

Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.

Unit 8

Autonomous Behavior I — Navigation and Task Sequencing

Design robots that execute multi-step autonomous tasks. Implement waypoint navigation, reactive obstacle handling, and search patterns. Build autonomous routines using structured state machines and task sequencing logic.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedIntermediate

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 9

Autonomous Behavior II — Localization and Adaptive Decision Making

Extend autonomous behavior into localization concepts, path planning logic, and adaptive decision making under uncertainty. Implement complex multi-condition decisions and introduce mapping concepts at a conceptual level.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced

Opens at lesson 1

Block 5

Optimization and Capstone

Data-driven refinement, reliability, safety, and capstone integration.

Select a unit to start directly at lesson 1.

Unit 10

Data, Testing, and Performance Optimization

Define performance metrics for robotic systems. Collect and analyze data from real robot runs to identify performance gaps. Apply root-cause troubleshooting, systematic optimization, and repeatability testing to improve robot behavior based on evidence.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 11

Real-World Constraints — Reliability, Safety, and Human-Robot Interaction

Evaluate robotic systems against real-world reliability requirements. Analyze failure risk, human-robot interaction safety, and design for maintainability. Apply sustainable design principles and consider automation impacts on people and systems.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced

Opens at lesson 1

Unit 12

Testing, Validation, and Capstone Integration

Build a complete capstone robotic system, validate it against defined requirements, and defend design decisions through a structured engineering report and technical presentation. Write test plans, execute repeatability and tolerance tests, and conduct root-cause troubleshooting.

3 lessons3 labs3 assessments15h estimatedAdvanced

Opens at lesson 1

Featured Labs

Playground FPV Basic Control Mission

Use the Robotnix-hosted Playground Propwash mission to practice takeoff, heading control, and safe landing with guided checkpoints.

35 minBeginner

Playground Flight Stability Observation Mission

Observe drift, correction, and control sensitivity on the Playground map using the Robotnix-hosted Propwash runtime with intermediate mission settings.

35 minIntermediate

Issum Obstacle Navigation Mission

Complete a constrained Issum Town route in the Robotnix-hosted Propwash flight runtime while tracking mission checkpoints and flight observations.

40 minIntermediate

Playground Precision Landing Challenge

Use controlled descent and heading alignment on the Playground map to land in a constrained target area and capture landing data.

35 minIntermediate

Course Resources

NJ Standards Alignment

8.2.12.ED.38.2.12.ED.58.1.12.AP.48.1.12.DA.69.4.12.CT.1

A rigorous second-year robotics course that takes students from basic robot assembly into real engineering discipline. Students design systems from requirements, implement feedback and PID control, analyze kinematics mathematically, build autonomous behaviors, design mechanisms, and validate performance against defined criteria. No platform branding — real control theory, real motion math, real system design.