NPTEL Course: Collaborative Robots (COBOTS) Theory & Practice by IIT-ISM Dhanbad
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 154 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering, Robotics |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Future of Automation: An In-Depth Guide to the NPTEL Course on Collaborative Robots (COBOTS)
The manufacturing landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, moving from isolated, caged robots to intelligent, collaborative partners. At the forefront of this revolution are Collaborative Robots, or COBOTS. If you're an engineering student, researcher, or industry professional looking to build expertise in this cutting-edge field, a new opportunity has arrived. The prestigious National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is offering an extensive 8-week course titled "Collaborative Robots (COBOTS): Theory and Practice," instructed by a leading expert from IIT-ISM Dhanbad.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Arun Dayal Udai
This course is led by Prof. Arun Dayal Udai, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. With over 15 years of teaching experience in Mechatronics, CAD, Robotics, and Automation, Prof. Udai brings a rare blend of deep academic knowledge and robust practical experience.
His journey is unique: beginning with a UG degree in Marine Engineering and four years sailing globally as a Mercantile Marine Engineer, he transitioned to advanced robotics research. He holds a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi, specializing in Force Control of Industrial Robots, and a Master's from BIT Mesra where he worked on Biped Robots.
Beyond academia, Prof. Udai is the Founder and Director of ADUZA Robotics and Automation Pvt. Ltd., where he develops robots for academic research and provides industry consultancy. He actively handles high-value robotics projects worth over 3.5 Crores, funded by defense organizations and various industries. A prolific author, he has co-authored textbooks published by McGraw Hill and Springer. His previous NPTEL course on Industrial Robotics has already gained significant popularity, making him the ideal guide for this advanced topic.
Course Overview: Bridging Theory and Real-World Practice
This course is meticulously designed as a foundational yet comprehensive program suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It assumes no prior formal robotics knowledge, starting with the fundamentals of traditional industrial robots before diving deep into the specialized world of cobots.
The pedagogy is a balanced mix of theoretical lectures, code demonstrations, hands-on lab sessions, and practical assignments. This structure ensures students not only grasp core concepts but also understand their implementation, preparing them for advanced studies or a professional career in robotics.
Who Should Enroll?
- University Students: UG/PG/Ph.D. students in Mechanical, Automation, Mechatronics, Electrical, and Computer Science engineering.
- Industrial Practitioners: Engineers and technicians in automotive, electronics, FMCG, plastics, and other manufacturing sectors looking to upskill.
- Researchers & Academics: Individuals seeking a structured understanding of cobot technologies.
Prerequisites
- Undergraduate-level Mathematics (Linear Algebra, Calculus)
- Basic Engineering Mechanics
Detailed 8-Week Course Curriculum
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Cobots, Evolution of Force Control, Applications (Material Handling, Machine Tending, etc.), Safety Standards & Risk Assessment. |
| Week 2 | Cobot Hardware: Actuators (BLDC Motors), Sensors (Force, Position), Transmission Systems (Harmonic Drives), and Safe Workspace Design. |
| Week 3 | Robot Kinematics: Degrees of Freedom, Homogeneous Transformations, Denavit-Hartenberg Parameters, Forward Kinematics. |
| Week 4 | Inverse Kinematics, Differential Motion, Jacobian Matrix, and Singularity Analysis. |
| Week 5 | Robot Statics, Force/Velocity Ellipsoids, Gravity Compensation, and Lead-Through Programming. |
| Week 6 | Robot Dynamics: Euler-Lagrange and Newton-Euler Formulations. |
| Week 7 | Robot Control: Joint Modeling, PID Control Systems, and Gain Tuning. |
| Week 8 | Advanced Force Control: Stiffness, Admittance, Hybrid Control. Cobot Features & a Capstone Case Study on an Assembly Task. |
Key Learning Outcomes
- Understand the fundamental architecture and unique capabilities of collaborative robots versus traditional industrial robots.
- Master the mathematical foundations of robot kinematics, dynamics, and control specific to cobot operation.
- Gain practical knowledge of force control strategies—the core technology enabling safe human-robot collaboration.
- Learn to design safe collaborative workspaces in line with international safety standards (ISO/TS 15066).
- Analyze real-world cobot applications across diverse industries through case studies and lab demonstrations.
Industry Relevance and Support
The skills taught in this course are in high demand across a wide spectrum of industries, including:
- Automobile & Auto-components
- Electrical and Electronics Manufacturing
- Plastics and Chemicals
- Food and Beverage
- Pharmaceuticals
- Educational and Research Institutions
The curriculum references technical specifications from leading cobot manufacturers like KUKA (iiwa), ABB (YuMi), Universal Robots, FANUC (CR Series), Franka Emika, and Yaskawa, ensuring direct industry relevance.
Why Enroll in This NPTEL Course?
This course is more than just a series of lectures. It's a gateway to becoming proficient in one of the most transformative technologies of Industry 4.0. With instruction from an IIT professor who is also a practicing entrepreneur and consultant, you receive insights grounded in both rigorous theory and market reality. The blend of fundamental robotics principles with specialized cobot knowledge makes this a unique and valuable educational offering.
Whether you aim to launch a career in robotics, lead automation projects in your company, or pursue higher research, "Collaborative Robots (COBOTS): Theory and Practice" provides the essential knowledge base and practical perspective to succeed.
Take the next step in your engineering journey. Enroll in this NPTEL course and position yourself at the forefront of the collaborative automation revolution.
Enroll Now →