Robotics Education with MATLAB and Simulink

Kinematics and Dynamics

Sensing and Perception

Navigation and Localization

Controls and Estimation

Embedded Systems

Using MATLAB and Simulink, educators can:

Teach foundational robotics concepts using dynamic visualizations.
Enhance curricula using interactive code.
Implement virtual labs using simulations.
Conduct research through existing software libraries.
Use project-based learning with projects nominated by industry leaders.
Provide hands-on experience through integrated hardware support.
Engage with the robotics teaching community using MATLAB Central, File Exchange, and GitHub.

Robot Manipulator Courseware

Industry Examples

Airnamics Develops Unmanned Aerial System for Close-Range Filming with Model-Based Design

Autonomous Pediatric Exoskeleton Takes Its First Steps

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Develops Robotic Arm for Removing Nuclear Fuel Debris

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Robotics Course Topics

Robot Kinematics and Dynamics

Students simulate robot motion; study joint angles, velocities, and accelerations; and visualize a robot’s behavior. Concepts include translations, rotations, transformation matrices, and Denavit-Hartenberg parameters. Using MATLAB live scripts, students can learn theoretical topics and simultaneously visualize the output of their robotic algorithms.

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Sensing and Perception

Show students how to interface sensors for robot perception. MATLAB supports various sensor types, such as cameras, lidar, and inertial measurement units. Students will learn how to acquire sensor data, process it, and use it for robot control and decision-making.

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Getting Started with Perception (video series)
Image Processing Onramp
Image Processing with MATLAB

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Navigation, Localization, Mapping, and SLAM

Teach students the concepts of motion planning, localization, and mapping. This approach includes designing and simulating mobile robots for line following and obstacle detection.

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Controls and Estimation

Teach students how to design control algorithms for robots by introducing concepts such as PID control, trajectory planning, and feedback control. Control System Toolbox provides functions for designing and analyzing control systems, making it a valuable resource for teaching control theory.

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Embedded Systems and Deployment

MATLAB supports a wide range of hardware platforms commonly used in embedded systems, including microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, and SoCs. MATLAB also offers support packages and C/C++ code generation tools, such as Simulink Coder and Embedded Coder, to automate the transition from simulation to hardware implementation.

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