Fundamentals of robotic simulation [Micro-credential]

A complete design to advances simulation course on robotic simulation and modeling
What you'll learn
Fundamentals of robotic vehicles
Sensors and actuators
Simulation and modeling of application specific scenarios
Fundamentals of industrial robotics
Project framing for thesis and research
Requirements
Basic knowledge of Python
Basic knowledge of using Windows/MacOS/Ubuntu
Description
Fundamentals of Robotic Simulation is a comprehensive, hands-on course designed to introduce students, researchers, and practicing engineers to the core principles and practical workflows of modern robotic simulation. As robotic systems become increasingly complex and expensive to prototype physically, simulation has become an essential tool for design, testing, validation, and education. This course equips learners with the conceptual foundation and practical skills needed to confidently build and analyze simulated robotic systems. The tool of choice used in the course is CoppeliaSim (formerly VREP). This is a open source simulation platform with a free EDU license for students and learners. Learners will be guided through the structure of simulation platforms, including scene hierarchies, object properties, collision handling, and physics engines. Emphasis is placed on understanding how simulation approximates real-world behavior, including sources of error, numerical stability, and limitations of physics-based models.A significant portion of the course focuses on hands-on implementation. Students will learn how to create robotic models, integrate sensors such as cameras and LiDAR, design control scripts, and collect data for analysis. Practical examples demonstrate how simulation supports tasks such as path planning, perception, control validation, and dataset generation for robotics and AI research.By the end of the course, learners will be able to design structured robotic simulation experiments, interpret simulation results critically, and transition simulation-based insights to real-world robotic systems. This course is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students, robotics enthusiasts, and professionals seeking a strong foundational understanding of robotic simulation for research, development, or teaching.
Who this course is for
Robotics engineers
UAV (Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle) enthusiasts
Robotics research/thesis students
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