Introduction:
Robotics and automation are reshaping industries worldwide, driving efficiencies, productivity, and safety. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of robotics and automation systems, covering everything from basic robotic components and control systems to advanced applications in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries. Participants will gain hands-on experience in designing, programming, and controlling robotic systems, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to work with automation in real-world environments.

Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of robotics and automation systems.
• Learn about the different types of robots and automation technologies.
• Gain hands-on experience with robotic programming, control systems, and simulation software.
• Understand robotic kinematics, sensors, and actuators in automation applications.
• Explore real-world applications of robotics in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.
• Gain practical experience in deploying and troubleshooting automation systems.

Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for engineers, developers, and technicians working in industries that implement robotics and automation. It is ideal for:

• Robotics engineers and technicians interested in building, programming, and maintaining robotic systems.
• Automation engineers looking to understand robotic systems and integrate them with automation technologies.
• Developers seeking to enhance their knowledge of industrial robotics programming and applications.
• Students or professionals aspiring to enter the field of robotics and automation.

Day 1: Introduction to Robotics and Automation

Morning Session:

• What is Robotics and Automation?

  • Definition and history of robotics and automation.
  • The role of robotics and automation in modern industries: Benefits, challenges, and future trends.
  • Types of robots: Industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots), mobile robots, and service robots.

• Robotic Components and Types

  • Key components of a robotic system: Manipulators, actuators, sensors, and controllers.
  • Introduction to different types of robots: Articulated, Cartesian, SCARA, delta robots.
  • Comparing robotic arms, mobile robots, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Afternoon Session:

• Automation Systems Overview

  • What is automation? Types of automation systems: Fixed, programmable, and flexible automation.
  • Control systems and architecture in automation.
  • The role of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) in automation.
  • Integration of sensors, actuators, and controllers in an automation system.

• Hands-On Lab: Introduction to Robotic Systems

  • Setting up and observing basic robotic systems.
  • Introduction to robotic arm kinematics and movement control.
  • Operating a basic industrial robot through a teach pendant.

Day 2: Robotic Programming and Control Systems

Morning Session:

• Robotic Programming Languages and Techniques
  • Overview of programming languages used in robotics: Python, C++, and proprietary robot programming languages.
  • Programming robots for movement and task execution: Position control vs. velocity control.
  • Programming robotic systems for automation: Task scheduling and multi-tasking.
• Introduction to Robot Operating System (ROS)
  • What is ROS? Key components of ROS: Nodes, topics, services, and messages.
  • Setting up a basic robot in ROS.
  • The importance of simulation in ROS (e.g., Gazebo) for development and testing.

Afternoon Session:

• Control Systems for Robotics

  • PID control (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) in robotics: Theory and applications.
  • Introduction to motion planning: Pathfinding algorithms and trajectory control.
  • Sensor integration in robotic systems: Cameras, LiDAR, ultrasonic sensors, and force sensors.

• Hands-On Lab: Programming a Robotic Arm

  • Using ROS or another programming environment to control a robotic arm.
  • Implementing motion control and trajectory planning for simple tasks like pick and place.

Day 3: Advanced Robotic Applications and Automation Technologies

Morning Session:

• Advanced Robotic Applications

  • Robots in manufacturing: Assembly lines, welding, painting, and material handling.
  • Collaborative robots (Cobots): Human-robot collaboration and safety considerations.
  • Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs): Navigation, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and path planning.

• Robotics in Industry 4.0

  • The role of robotics in smart factories: Integration with IoT, machine learning, and AI.
  • Robotics and automation in the supply chain: Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), sorting, and packaging.
  • Use of robots in healthcare: Surgical robots, rehabilitation robots, and robotic prosthetics.

Afternoon Session:

• Automation Technologies in Depth

  • PLC programming for automation systems: Ladder logic and functional block diagram.
  • Sensors and actuators in automation: Types, applications, and integration with control systems.
  • SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems: Monitoring and controlling industrial processes.

• Hands-On Lab: Industrial Automation Setup

  • Programming a simple automation task using a PLC.
  • Simulating industrial automation systems with sensor and actuator integration.

Day 4: Robotics in Service Industries and Emerging Technologies

Morning Session:

• Robotics in Service Industries

  • Robots in retail: Automated checkout, inventory management, and customer service robots.
  • Robots in healthcare: Surgical assistants, rehabilitation robots, and robotic exoskeletons.
  • Robotics in agriculture: Autonomous tractors, harvesting robots, and drone applications.

• Emerging Robotics Technologies

  • AI and machine learning in robotics: Robot vision, decision-making, and adaptation.
  • Robot autonomy: Self-learning robots and their applications in dynamic environments.
  • Soft robotics: Advancements in flexible, adaptive robots.

Afternoon Session:

• Integration of Robots with IoT and AI

  • IoT-enabled robots: Connectivity, data collection, and remote monitoring.
  • AI-driven robotic systems: Perception, navigation, and task execution.
  • Future trends: 5G, edge computing, and their impact on robotics.

• Hands-On Lab: Implementing Robotics in a Service Industry Scenario

  • Developing a simple service robot task, such as autonomous navigation or object recognition, using sensors and AI.

Day 5: Troubleshooting, Maintenance, and the Future of Robotics

Morning Session:

• Troubleshooting Robotic Systems

  • Common issues in robotic systems: Calibration, wiring, software, and mechanical failures.
  • Diagnostic tools and techniques for troubleshooting robots.
  • Preventative maintenance and regular inspections for robotic systems.

• Robotic System Design and Optimization

  • Designing robots for specific tasks: Picking, placing, assembly, and inspection.
  • Optimizing robotic systems for efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Evaluating performance: Metrics and KPIs for robotic systems.

Afternoon Session:

• The Future of Robotics and Automation

  • The future of robotics in the workforce: Human-robot collaboration and automation.
  • The role of robotics in addressing global challenges: Healthcare, climate change, and disaster response.
  • Ethical considerations in robotics: Job displacement, safety, and social impacts.

• Hands-On Lab: Troubleshooting a Robotic System

  • Simulating a malfunction in a robotic system and diagnosing the issue.
  • Performing preventative maintenance on a robotic system.

• Course Wrap-Up and Certification Exam

  • Recap of key concepts and skills learned throughout the course.
  • Final exam to test knowledge and understanding of robotics and automation systems.