Wheeled Mobile Robots Course | IIT Madras & Palakkad | Robotics Learning
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 478 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Processes and Technology, Product Design, Robotics |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Future: A Comprehensive Course on Wheeled Mobile Robots
The world of automation and intelligent systems is rapidly evolving, with mobile robots at the forefront of this revolution. From warehouse logistics and autonomous vehicles to advanced exploration and service robots, the applications are boundless. If you're an engineering student or professional looking to build a solid foundation in this exciting field, a structured learning path is essential. We are thrilled to highlight a detailed 8-week course on Wheeled Mobile Robots, meticulously designed and taught by distinguished professors from the Indian Institutes of Technology.
Meet Your Expert Instructors
This course brings together the extensive expertise of two leading academics in Indian robotics research and education.
Prof. T Asokan (IIT Madras): A Professor and Head of the Department of Engineering Design at IIT Madras, Prof. Asokan brings over 25 years of rich experience. His career spans prestigious institutions like Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Stanford University, USA, where he was a Stanford-India Biodesign Fellow. With more than 100 publications and 18 patents, his work in robotic system development, product design, and medical devices is highly acclaimed. He also serves as the National Secretary of The Robotics Society.
Prof. Santhakumar Mohan (IIT Palakkad): An Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Palakkad, Prof. Mohan has been teaching the Mobile Robotics course for over 7 years. With a decade of professional experience, he is actively involved in designing mobile robots for field applications and has filed 4 patents. His practical teaching approach is grounded in hands-on research and development.
Course Overview: What Will You Learn?
This undergraduate/postgraduate level course is structured over 8 weeks to provide a holistic understanding of wheeled mobile robots. It falls under the key categories of Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Product Design, and Robotics.
Upon completion, students will be equipped to:
- Understand algorithmic approaches, mathematical models, and motion control methods for mobile robots.
- Learn about sensor systems for state measurement, navigation, and localization.
- Master motion planning and navigation schemes.
- Analyze the mechanical and electrical systems behind robot locomotion.
- Gain the skills to analyze and design basic mobile robotic systems.
Detailed 8-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to mobile robots & manipulators. Principles & types of locomotion (ground, aerial, underwater). |
| Week 2 | Kinematics of wheeled robots: DOF, maneuverability, wheel models, holonomic vs. non-holonomic systems. |
| Week 3 | Dynamics using Lagrange-Euler & Newton-Euler methods. Numerical simulation of wheeled robots. |
| Week 4 | Sensors for navigation: Gyroscopes, accelerometers, LIDAR, ultrasonic, vision systems, and more. |
| Week 5 | Robot Navigation: Localization, error modeling, probabilistic maps, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). |
| Week 6 | Motion & Path Planning: Creating collision-free paths and sensor-based obstacle avoidance. |
| Week 7 | Motion Control: Kinematic control, dynamic control, and cascaded control methods. |
| Week 8 | Introduction to Modern Robots: Swarm robotics, collaborative robots, mobile manipulators, and autonomous systems. |
Essential Reference Books
The course curriculum is supported by seminal texts in the field, ensuring depth and rigor in your learning:
- Introduction to Autonomous Mobile Robots by R. Siegwart, I.R. Nourbakhsh, D. Scaramuzza (MIT Press, 2011)
- Introduction to Mobile Robot Control by S.G. Tzafestas (Elsevier, 2014)
- Mobile Robotics: Mathematics, Models, and Methods by A. Kelly (Cambridge University Press, 2013)
- Probabilistic Robotics by S. Thrun, W. Burgard, D. Fox (MIT Press, 2005)
- Computational Principles of Mobile Robotics by G. Dudek, M. Jenkin (Cambridge University Press, 2010)
Who Should Enroll?
This course is perfectly suited for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, and related fields who have a keen interest in mobile robotics. Professionals looking to transition into the robotics industry or deepen their theoretical knowledge will also find immense value.
By combining the theoretical prowess of Prof. Asokan with the applied teaching experience of Prof. Mohan, this course offers a unique blend of fundamental principles and practical insights. It's more than just a syllabus; it's a gateway to understanding and building the intelligent machines of tomorrow.
Take the first step towards mastering mobile robotics. Explore the course and unlock your potential in this transformative technology.
Enroll Now →