Career in Robotics: What is the Scope and Future

Ever enjoyed movies like Iron Man and Robot for more than just the entertainment they provided? Did you leave those movies daydreaming about creating super cool machines yourself? If you did, you might want to consider a career in robotics! As someone who creates robots, you would be able to programme your robot to do just about anything – from cleaning up to making it help you with your work! While a keen interest in mathematics and science is a must for robotics, you must also work on developing your programming, analytical and creative thinking skills. You would need these skills to design and create systems that make processes more efficient and reduce human involvement. Today, thanks to the rise of technology and automation in almost every industry, a lot of avenues have opened up in robotics. Here are a few industries that will help you fulfil your love for robotics:

Channel your fascination for robotics into a career you love. Discover if you have the right skillset for these careers by taking the Mentoria holistic career assessment test! We help you find the right career fit for you based on your unique interests, personality, and ability.

1. Aerospace

The aerospace industry mainly consists of building and supplying aircraft. If you’re interested in creating aircraft, you could get a job in the aerospace industry! Due to a robot’s reliability and precision, aerospace engineers prefer using robots for certain tasks. Here, you would be required to create robots that can aid in the construction of aircraft engines and perform simple tasks like drilling and painting airframes. 

2. Medicine

From surgeries to rehabilitating patients, there is a lot that robots can do in this field. If you ever wanted to help save people’s lives, this is your chance to do it! Design robots that perform tasks like disinfecting patient’s and operating rooms, collecting blood samples, providing physiotherapy, performing minor surgeries, etc.

3. Manufacturing

Manufacturing – especially mass production – extensively uses automation and robotics in its processes. Manufacturers need robots to increase the speed and volume of manufacturing, reduce the scope for errors, maintain consistency, etc. A lot of manufacturing units – like the ones for cars – are almost fully automated now. This field is constantly looking for innovation and newer machines to simplify and speed up their processes.

4. Sea Research

71% of our planet is covered by the ocean but only about 15% of its features have been studied. This is because humans find it difficult to reach the depths of the ocean. If you are interested in new discoveries that can emerge from studying ocean depths, this is the perfect field for you! You can programme robots to descend to the seafloor and collect valuable data, footage, etc.

5. Mining Industry

The mining industry can be quite risky for humans.  We’ve all read headlines about fires and entrapments in mines. Needless to say, the industry is constantly looking for ways to reduce this risk. If you want to create robots that reduce this risk to human life and take on dangerous tasks, the mining industry is your calling. You can programme robots to assist in excavations, detect gases and other dangerous material, and speed up the drilling process. You can also take it a step further and create a robot specially programmed to respond to mishaps and accidents!

6. Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear sites are full of hazardous radiations that are not suitable for humans. Therefore, robots are needed to inspect and clean up nuclear power plants. Most robotic engineers love a challenge, and there is no bigger challenge than creating robots for the nuclear industry! You will create robots that can reduce the burden on workers, protect those working in hazardous areas and improve the overall efficiency. But above all, you will look for ways to create sturdier robots that can deal with any unexpected incidents.

7. Space Research Organisations

If you have always wanted to explore outer space, you could live your dream through your creations! The space research field needs robots to help astronauts perform tasks such as repairing, scouting dangerous environments or performing routine procedures like video capturing. You could be the one creating these machines; who knows, your invention may be the next Mars rover!

8. Gaming

Gaming companies use robots to provide more realistic experiences. If you are a hardcore gamer and wish to contribute to the world of virtual reality, this is the space for you! You can create devices like Kinect (motion-sensing device) to help map a user’s environment and transmit that data to personalise their gaming experience.

These are just a few options to help you fulfil your love for robotics. However, to start off in any field, you must clear the JEEs (Joint Entrance Exams) and get into a bachelor’s programme in engineering. This will be a four-year course that lets you specialise in mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering or computer sciences. Once you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a specialisation in robotics through a master’s degree.

Robotics Courses in India

You need at least 55% in your bachelor’s degree to apply for a master’s degree. You would also appear for an online entrance test – GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering). However, if you have two years of experience in the relevant field, you can skip this test. Here’s a list of postgraduate courses you can pursue:

1. Master of Technology in Robotics Engineering from IIT (Kanpur, Mumbai, Madras, Delhi, Kharagpur, Allahabad). 

This is a two-year course that offers subjects like automation, robotics engineering, and contexts and environments of robotics- creation on an advanced level.

2. Master of Technology in Automation and Robotics from University College of Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Automation and Robotics is a two-year full-time postgraduate program recognized by AICTE and offered by the Osmania University, Hyderabad.

3. Master of Technology in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics from the University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. 

This is a two-year course that offers subjects like introduction to robotics, robot programming, artificial intelligence and neural network, manufacturing systems automation, etc.

4. Master of Engineering in Robotics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. 

This is a two-year course that offers subjects like introduction to robotics, mechatronics, robotic applications, etc.

5. Master of Engineering in CAD/CAM (Computer-aided Design/Manufacturing) and Robotics from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. 

This is a two-year course which offers subjects like precision engineering, industrial robotics, etc. It also offers electives like computer-aided design lab, design optimisation, etc.

6. Master of Engineering in Computer Science, with robotics as a subject from The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. 

This is a two-year course which offers subjects like computer architecture, internet programming and tools, mobile computing, etc.

7. Master of Technology – Mechanical, with robotics as an elective subject from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.

This is a two-year unique programme that is tailored to prepare quality Automation Engineers for various Application segments like manufacturing, defence, food, aerospace, medicine and other services.

8. Master of Technology – Robotics from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu.

This is a two-year course that includes subjects like mechanics, robotic sensors, artificial intelligence for robotics etc

9. Master of Engineering in Automation and Robotics from the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Mumbai/Dehradun.

This is a two-year course that includes subjects like autonomous systems, field robotics, artificial intelligence, Machine learning, computer vision

10. Master of Engineering Mechanical, with robotics as a subject from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. 

This is a two-year course that offers subjects like fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, etc.

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Learning Robotics Online

You could also complete an online course in robotics offered by select universities and websites. Here’s a list of some of the popular ones:

1. Indian Institute of Robotics

This course can last from one week to two months, depending on the type of course you choose. The courses teach you how to make your own systems while you learn the basics of robotics.

2. University of Pennsylvania

They offer 12-week courses that require you to study for 8 to 10 hours each week, depending on the course you choose. This works like a crash course for the topics you would learn in a master’s course.

3. SP Robotics Work

They offer 16 to 40 hours of learning depending on the levels – foundation, beginner, advanced, expert. Along with online classes, you also get to visit labs and work with professionals in the industry through this course.

4. Northwestern University

The course lasts for 20+ weeks with 3 – 7 hours each week. teaches you intermediate skills and supplements your learning with lots of tests and quizzes without taking too much of your time.

We hope this post has shed light on the different opportunities you can pursue to fulfil your love for robots! If you have any further questions or you’re confused about which career you should pursue, feel free to get in touch with us. We’d be happy to help!

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