4 answers
Gonzalo
Student
Cartagena, Region of Murcia, Spain
3
Questions
Asked
2037 views
Should I study mechanical engineering first and then move on to robotics, or go straight into studying robotics?
I'm from Spain, and I'm going to start year 12 or grade 12. I'm taking A-levels, and I would like to study in the USA or the UK. I've been interested in and involved with robotics since I was 5 years old.
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4 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Gonzalo,
That's a fascinating career choice! Robotics is highly interdisciplinary, so you can approach this from different angles. Suitable undergraduate majors would be robotics engineering, mechatronic engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science/engineering, biomedical engineering, industrial engineering or aerospace engineering. It could even be physics, biology, mathematics or design. The key would be to come to an environment where you can be involved with robotics research early in your undergraduate education.
If you know you want to do robotics, a robotics program would probably give you the best mix of disciplines. If you tend strongly towards the mechanical aspects, mechanical or mechatronic would be good options. If you are more interested in control, computer science or electrical engineering might be better. If you are interested in industrial automation, industrial engineering would be good. If you are interested in assistive technologies or nanorobots for medical applications, biomedical engineering is a good option. You can also do a major/minor combination. The idea being that you would acquire the skills and tools of e.g. a mechanical engineer and study robotics as your main application.
I would recommend to look at different robotics programs and especially the research activities at different universities. Look at the people involved and what their background and home department is. Find out what aspects of robotics they are doing. Have they got strong industry links? Have they got great facilities? How are undergraduates involved in research?
You will of course be learning the fundamentals in undergrad, but if you know you want to work on assistive technologies, choose a department where they do research on that. If you want to work in production automation, find a department that is strong in that.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.inspiritai.com/blogs/ai-blog/20-top-colleges-to-pursue-a-robotics-engineering-degree
https://www.novascholar.education/blog-posts/top-10-robotics-engineering-undergraduate-programs
That's a fascinating career choice! Robotics is highly interdisciplinary, so you can approach this from different angles. Suitable undergraduate majors would be robotics engineering, mechatronic engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science/engineering, biomedical engineering, industrial engineering or aerospace engineering. It could even be physics, biology, mathematics or design. The key would be to come to an environment where you can be involved with robotics research early in your undergraduate education.
If you know you want to do robotics, a robotics program would probably give you the best mix of disciplines. If you tend strongly towards the mechanical aspects, mechanical or mechatronic would be good options. If you are more interested in control, computer science or electrical engineering might be better. If you are interested in industrial automation, industrial engineering would be good. If you are interested in assistive technologies or nanorobots for medical applications, biomedical engineering is a good option. You can also do a major/minor combination. The idea being that you would acquire the skills and tools of e.g. a mechanical engineer and study robotics as your main application.
I would recommend to look at different robotics programs and especially the research activities at different universities. Look at the people involved and what their background and home department is. Find out what aspects of robotics they are doing. Have they got strong industry links? Have they got great facilities? How are undergraduates involved in research?
You will of course be learning the fundamentals in undergrad, but if you know you want to work on assistive technologies, choose a department where they do research on that. If you want to work in production automation, find a department that is strong in that.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Nicole Alexandru
Computer Engineer
1
Answer
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Gonzalo,
As someone who's gone through engineering school in the US, and worked briefly at a robotics company, I would say that most people in the industry have standard engineering degrees (mechanical, electrical, and software primarily) rather than robotics degrees. Robotics degrees are very interdisciplinary, and this has its benefits, but in the workforce (at least at a larger company like mine), the employee roles are generally segregated by engineering field. So, you'll have a team of mechanical engineers, team of electrical engineers, etc. Engineering knowledge specific to robotics is usually learned on the job.
I would personally suggest you pursue a broad degree, like mechanical engineering. Many schools offer minors or concentrations in subjects like robotics, so you will have the opportunity to specialize while still getting a more general degree. You will learn all you need to be involved in the industry. It will also be broad enough that if you choose to pivot, it's easy to do so. Furthermore, most engineering students are involved in research, personal projects, and campus clubs that allow them to highlight their interest in specific fields (like robotics).
Either way, what major you choose will not completely determine your future. You will still have the ability to choose certain classes, choose extra-curricular activities, etc. and that is what will matter most to your career
As someone who's gone through engineering school in the US, and worked briefly at a robotics company, I would say that most people in the industry have standard engineering degrees (mechanical, electrical, and software primarily) rather than robotics degrees. Robotics degrees are very interdisciplinary, and this has its benefits, but in the workforce (at least at a larger company like mine), the employee roles are generally segregated by engineering field. So, you'll have a team of mechanical engineers, team of electrical engineers, etc. Engineering knowledge specific to robotics is usually learned on the job.
I would personally suggest you pursue a broad degree, like mechanical engineering. Many schools offer minors or concentrations in subjects like robotics, so you will have the opportunity to specialize while still getting a more general degree. You will learn all you need to be involved in the industry. It will also be broad enough that if you choose to pivot, it's easy to do so. Furthermore, most engineering students are involved in research, personal projects, and campus clubs that allow them to highlight their interest in specific fields (like robotics).
Either way, what major you choose will not completely determine your future. You will still have the ability to choose certain classes, choose extra-curricular activities, etc. and that is what will matter most to your career
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Gonzalo
Kranthi Nandi
Operations
1
Answer
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Kranthi’s Answer
I suggest you dive right into Robotics! There are many programs available at colleges in the US. I'm not sure about the UK, but I hope this information is helpful to you.
Try to participate in national /international Robotics competetions if you haven't so yet. That will really help you get much needed exposure.
Kranthi recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for your encouragement!
Gonzalo
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Gonzalo! Yes, after 10 to 15 years of Robotics you are ready to approach pre-doctoral studies and do a thesis, which will probably result in a marketable item. When you reach this point, you will have already sought company sponsorship. With the controlling software you may evolve this robot into something more than just a toy! See top USA Robotics Companies:- https://seekingalpha.com/article/4685085-top-6-humanoid-robot-companies-to-consider-as-a-new-trend-potentially-takes-off?
GOD BLESS!
GOD BLESS!