Although responsibilities in specific roles will vary, there are several universal skills all robotics professionals should know.
1. Math and Science
Robotics manufacturer RobotIQ describes mathematics as one of the only core robotics skills that you cannot learn as you go along. At a minimum, a strong background in several fields of mathematics and science are critical for a successful career in robotics:
Algebra and calculus will help you write the equations and formulas that represent the abstract concepts that a robot manipulates.
Geometry and physics will help you understand the different ways that a robot can move in order to minimize movement, reduce wear and tear, and increase the lifespan of equipment.
Applied mathematics, or the use of math to solve problems in science and engineering, will enable you to address challenges such as predicting how a robot will move under certain circumstances.
2. Programming
While a career in robotics requires knowledge of popular programming languages such as C, C++, Python, and Java, there are some key differences between programming for robotics and programming to develop software or mobile applications.
Software applications tend to interact with other software applications, such as a website requesting information from a database. Robots, on the other hand, interact with software, hardware, and various electronics.
RobotIQ points out that many robots used in an industrial setting run on proprietary programming languages. If you’re working with robots from multiple manufacturers, there’s a good chance you’ll be working with multiple languages as well.
High-level robotic system programming depends on highly complex and technical AI and ML algorithms. “This is at the intersection of programming and a theoretical understanding of how robots work,” Platt says. “It’s hard for employers to find those skills.”
3. Working on a Team
Robotics is largely technical work, but certain soft skills are beneficial, Platt says. In particular, being a team player is essential. “You want to be someone with valuable skills,” such as the ability to write complex AI algorithms, “but you need to be someone who can also work on a team.”
Unless you work at a small startup, Platt adds, you can expect to be working with five or six other engineers, a project manager, product developers, and a user experience expert. You can also expect the team to follow an Agile project management style, with an iterative process for developing, testing, and getting feedback on a product.
4. Solving Complex Problems
Designing and building functioning technical systems is obviously a critical robotics skill, but it’s just as important to be able to figure out why a system isn’t functioning properly. If it’s a mechanical issue, you’ll need to know the best practices for making a repair. If it’s a software issue, you’ll need to be ready to look for errors or bugs in the code. And if it isn’t immediately clear what the issue is, you’ll need to put your problem-solving skills to work to assess the situation and find a possible solution.
In many cases, problem-solving in robotics can be a matter of trial and error. In addition to practicing persistence, you can build your problem-solving skills through experience. An experiential learning program, such as the Master of Science in Robotics program in the Northeastern University College of Engineering, provides students access to on-campus advanced laboratories and research centers as well as industrial partners such as Boston Dynamics, iRobot, and the Toyota Research Institute.
5. Thinking Creatively
A little bit of creativity can go a long way for a robotics professional. It can be beneficial for solving problems, such as using an existing part in a new way or coming up with a brand-new design altogether. Creativity and teamwork go hand in hand, too—a willingness to work with others and accept their contributions can help the entire team come up with a new idea or different solution.
Creativity can also boost your marketing and business development skills. Computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD) software company Autodesk notes that these are particularly valuable commercial skills for a robotics engineer who has designed a new product. In addition to describing the technical benefits of a product, you’ll need to convince sales staff, marketers, executive leaders, and ultimately customers that your product is worth their time and money.
6. Active Learning
The field of robotics is always changing. There are new programming languages to learn, new AI concepts to test, and new and more durable materials to work with. A robotics engineer can demonstrate their value by constantly learning about these changes and applying them to new fields of robotics.
One example is telepresence robots that can be operated remotely and are able to move, speak, and listen. The news site Robotics Tomorrow describes a number of use cases, such as attending a class or meeting halfway across the world, monitoring the conditions of patients in a hospital or nursing home, or moving heavy or hazardous materials across a manufacturing facility. These types of robots have the potential to change the way the world works and learns, but building and maintaining them will require new designs, engineering techniques, and software programs.
