Experimental Robotics NPTEL Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 484 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Multidisciplinary |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Future: A Hands-On Journey into Experimental Robotics
The field of robotics is no longer confined to science fiction; it's the driving force behind modern automation, manufacturing, and innovation. For students and professionals eager to move beyond theory and get their hands on real robotic systems, the NPTEL course on Experimental Robotics offers an unparalleled opportunity. This intensive 4-week program, led by the distinguished Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar of IIT Kharagpur, is designed to bridge the gap between conceptual knowledge and practical application.
Meet Your Guide: A Luminary in Robotics and AI
The course is helmed by Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, a professor of exceptional caliber at IIT Kharagpur. His credentials speak volumes:
- World-Renowned Expertise: Consistently ranked among the World's Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University, 2021-2023) in Image Analysis & AI.
- Prolific Author & Educator: Author of seminal textbooks like "Fundamentals of Robotics and AI" and "Soft Computing," the latter translated into Chinese.
- Award-Winning Scholar: Recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the INSA Teachers’ Award 2020, VASVIK Award 2022, and Technologist of the Year 2022 from IEEE India Council.
- Extensive Research Leadership: Guided 27 PhDs, published over 320 papers, and completed 29 sponsored projects. He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE) and a Senior Member of IEEE.
Learning from an instructor of this stature ensures you are gaining insights from the very forefront of robotic research and development.
Course Overview: What Will You Learn?
This multidisciplinary course is structured for Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and PhD students. It begins with a foundational introduction to robotics and swiftly progresses to five detailed, hands-on experiments. Each experiment comes with a comprehensive laboratory manual to guide your learning.
Weekly Course Layout: A Step-by-Step Practical Guide
| Week | Topics & Experiments Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Robotics; Experiment 1: Teaching of Serial Manipulator |
| Week 2 | Experiment 2: Control of Tracked Mobile Manipulator; Experiment 3: Path and Gait Planning of Six-legged Robot |
| Week 3 | Experiment 4: Navigation of Drone; Experiment 5: Path and Gait Planning of Humanoid Robot (partly) |
| Week 4 | Experiment 5: Path and Gait Planning of Humanoid Robot (continued) & Course Summary |
Deep Dive into the Experiments
Experiment 1: Teaching of Serial Manipulator
Learn the fundamentals of programming industrial robotic arms through lead-through and teach pendant methods, a critical skill in automation.
Experiment 2: Control of Tracked Mobile Manipulator
Understand the unique challenges of controlling a mobile platform with tracks, often used in rough terrain and disaster response scenarios.
Experiment 3: Path and Gait Planning of Six-legged Robot
Delve into bio-inspired robotics by planning stable and efficient walking gaits for a hexapod robot, exploring stability in unstructured environments.
Experiment 4: Navigation of Drone
Grasp the principles of autonomous flight, waypoint navigation, and the sensors and algorithms that enable drones to navigate complex airspace.
Experiment 5: Path and Gait Planning of Humanoid Robot
Tackle the pinnacle of mobile robotics: enabling a bipedal humanoid robot to walk and plan paths while maintaining dynamic balance.
Who Should Enroll?
- UG/PG Students in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science, and Robotics Engineering.
- PhD Scholars looking to strengthen their experimental robotics foundation.
- Industry Professionals and enthusiasts seeking to update their skills with hands-on robotic experiment knowledge.
Industry Recognition & Support
This course is developed with practical industry relevance in mind and is supported by leading organizations, including:
- IISCO, Burnpur
- Matix Fertilizers and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.
- CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur
- Sony Auto & Allied Industries Pvt. Ltd.
This industry backing underscores the course's alignment with current technological demands and job market needs.
Essential Learning Resources
Participants will benefit from:
- Primary Textbook: "Fundamentals of Robotics" by D.K. Pratihar.
- Detailed Reference Manuals: Specifically created for each robotic platform used in the experiments (Serial Manipulator, Tracked Vehicle, Six-legged Robot, Humanoid Robot, Drone).
Take the Next Step in Your Robotics Career
The NPTEL course on Experimental Robotics is more than just a class; it's a gateway to mastering the practical skills that define the next generation of robotic engineers. With expert instruction from an IIT Kharagpur professor, a structured hands-on curriculum, and direct industry relevance, this 4-week program is an invaluable investment in your future. Enroll today and start building, programming, and innovating with real robots.