What comes to mind when you hear the word “robotics”? Perhaps the fancy robots seen in movies or the cutting-edge technologies featured in the news. But what really is robotics, and what significance does this field hold for us and our children?
This article is penned for students interested in the field, as well as for parents contemplating their children’s future in this field. The field is undoubtedly an attractive area, but it requires profound specialized knowledge and sometimes difficult decisions. Through this post, I aim to share what the field truly involves from the perspective of someone who has undergone various stages in this area and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in a U.S. university.
Robotics goes beyond merely creating machines; it’s a field that can enhance the quality of our lives. However, this path might not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, in this article, I will present various perspectives on robotics. I hope to explore what opportunities this field can offer and what challenges it may entail.
Table of Contents
About Robotics Field
The concept of ‘robots’ first appeared in science fiction before becoming a reality, leading to some differences between popular perception and actual robotics. One of the most frequent questions I encounter in this field relates to ‘Iron Man’, but the reality of robotics engineering is quite distant from Tony Stark.
To use the Iron Man analogy, current robotics is more about creating ‘Jarvis’ than an Iron Suit. Some aspects are indeed getting closer to reality due to the explosive developments in artificial intelligence/machine learning, but there’s still much work to be done overall.
Additionally, real-world robotics differs from the notion of a single engineer like Tony Stark creating everything. Instead, it involves numerous engineers each contributing their research in their respective areas. Thus, a successful individual in the field is more realistically seen as someone who collaborates with multiple engineers to achieve results, rather than doing everything alone like Tony Stark.
Robotics is a broad field. Even among well-known aspects, there are researchers focusing on humanoid robots that walk on two legs, those specializing in robotic arms, and even fields dedicated solely to developing robotic intelligence without actual robots.
However, there are trends in the field, and for those considering a future in robotics, understanding the direction in which the field is heading can be helpful in deciding what studies and research to pursue once enrolled.
Recent trends in Robotics
Like all engineering disciplines, robotics also has its longstanding and newly emerging research areas. In the field of robotics, mechanical design and control, that is, designing and moving hardware, has been the most extensively studied area for a long time and is known to be challenging in terms of finding novel innovations. In contrast, research using machine learning to find new methods is currently the most active, bolstered by rapidly improving computer performance and advancements in artificial intelligence.
It’s true that many researchers in the design and control areas are still making significant contributions, and their work remains important. However, it seems undeniable that the overall trend in the field is shifting from purely mechanical studies to those more aligned with computer engineering. In other words, it is no longer a field centered solely on mechanical aspects.
Who is Suited for Robotics?
Given the broad scope of the field, it’s challenging to pinpoint a specific disposition that suits robotics, but generally, it’s seen as a field well-matched for those who are willing to traverse various disciplines. The very nature of being in the field assumes the goal of experimenting with robots (whether real or simulated) to achieve results. This means a practical understanding of actual systems is as necessary as theoretical knowledge. Delving into multiple areas is a challenging task without genuine interest and passion.
Even for those with an aptitude for robotics, the ideal path can differ depending on their preferences. Some may thrive in creating something tangible and producing immediate results, while others may prefer seeking academically superior methods or improvements.
Industry vs. Academia
Like any field of engineering, there is a gap between robotics in industry and in research. I am well aware of this, having worked with industrial robots for factory automation in a company setting.
Robotics in Industry
In the industrial setting, robots must be immediately profitable and maintain stable operation over a long period. Therefore, the priority is often to utilize existing technologies effectively to create well-functioning systems, rather than to engage in new research. If you graduate with a relevant degree and enter this field, you are likely to be tasked with developing a robotic system that can be used within a few months or managing the development process of a system created by a partner company. If you prefer producing meaningful results in a short time, working in industry might be more satisfying and yield better outcomes than academia.
While I cannot share specifics due to confidentiality agreements in the projects I have been involved in, the robots that are currently profitable are predominantly in production sites, namely factories.
Robotics in Academia
On the other hand, most research in the field is neither immediately profitable nor flashy enough to garner widespread public interest, which often makes the content difficult to understand. This is sometimes why those in the industry may have a critical view of researchers. An example of something that might not seem impressive at first glance but is highly regarded in research can be seen in one of the notable topics in the field of robotics.
The video first focuses on explaining the technique before emphasizing its efficiency in cutting. It showcases a robotic arm used for slicing fruit, and the result may not seem natural or perfect, making one wonder, ‘Why do this?’ or ‘Is this the best approach?’. However, this research is recognized and was presented at a highly reputable conference in the robotics field.
If the ultimate goal were to cut fruit in an industrial setting, the system could be designed to cut faster and more effectively. But this approach doesn’t align with research that seeks new methods. If the type of fruit changes, or even its variety, the system might become unusable. Therefore, the research is not about immediately producing the best results but about finding new methods that can advance the field.
To put it simply, if you have strong programming or design skills and are less interested in academic or mathematical analysis, a career in industry might be more suitable. On the other hand, if you find interest in solving specific, yet academically unresolved issues, pursuing further academic studies could be a better path.
Which one should you go for?
Given this context, if you prioritize deriving immediately practical and meaningful results, research might feel frustrating and challenging. Conversely, if you enjoy discovering new methods and detailing the process, even if the results aren’t flashy or garner widespread public attention (akin to finding and enjoying a better way to fold clothes, for example), then research might be a good fit.
If you’re considering a career in research, it’s crucial to acknowledge that it involves continuous learning. Robotics researchers must constantly read and understand new papers published each year, becoming as familiar with mathematics as they are with programming. In many cases, proficiency in mathematics is even seen as more important than practical programming skills. Therefore, whether you can maintain interest in ongoing studies is a key factor in deciding whether to pursue research or a more practical, industry-focused path.
Pursuing a Degree in Robotics
Whether you’re yet to start your undergraduate studies or considering graduate school, it’s common to be uncertain about whether to enter the industry directly or continue your education. Many people face this dilemma, and I too explored various roles and opportunities before starting my Ph.D. program.
For those still in their undergraduate phase or contemplating graduate studies, the decision between diving deeper into academia or stepping straight into the industry can be challenging. This is a natural concern. Many grapple with this question, as I did before embarking on my doctoral journey.
In a rapidly evolving field like robotics, every decision point signifies new opportunities and challenges. Pursuing graduate studies offers the chance to develop deeper expertise and research skills, but it also requires a significant investment of time and effort. Conversely, directly entering the industry can be a quicker path to gaining practical experience and acquiring applied skills.
The key in making such a decision is to balance your long-term goals with your current passions. Consider what aligns best with your career aspirations and personal growth, and which path resonates more with the areas you are truly passionate about.
Remember, these decisions don’t have to be permanent. Many professionals explore different paths early in their careers and eventually find the one that suits them best. What’s important is to pursue learning at each stage, accumulate experiences, and carve out your unique path.
Enrolling in an Undergraduate Program
Given the vastness of the robotics field and its intersections with other disciplines, most universities don’t have a separate department for robotics. Instead, robotics research is often conducted within related departments. Until recently, Carnegie Mellon University was an exception globally, offering a distinct Robotics program. However, the University of Michigan has recently established a new Robotics department, and other universities appear to be following suit.
Apart from these few cases, robotics is commonly integrated as a specialized area within the departments of Mechanical (or Aerospace) Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. Machine learning, a hot topic lately, falls under Computer Science. Overall, the fields that need more development and are seeing more active research in robotics are heavily concentrated in the computer-related areas.
However, you can still pursue robotics coming from Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other fields, just like I did. Many who are now doing computer-centric robotics research have backgrounds in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. It’s not so much that robotics is exclusive to Computer Science; it’s just closer to it.
Here’s my recommendation: If your interests clearly align with Computer Science (like image processing or machine learning similar to ChatGPT), pursuing Computer Science would be fitting. If not, choose between Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Since accessing robotics from any of these fields is feasible, I suggest choosing based on your interests, or more precisely, based on the faculty’s engagement with robotics at the university you plan to attend.
In undergraduate studies, what you decide to do and explore is arguably more important than your major.
Enrolling in a Graduate Program
If you’re nearing the completion of your undergraduate studies, you’re likely engaging in more specific contemplations. It’s time to move beyond the broad category of robotics and decide on a more specialized area within robotics that interests you. For those considering graduate studies, I have written in detail about studying abroad in a related post, which could be a helpful resource for you. d
Wrapping up
Robotics is a field that is constantly changing and evolving. To enter this field, you need passion, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving skills. If reading this article has nurtured your dream of pursuing robotics, then you have already taken an important first step.
Robotics will continue to enrich and intrigue our lives in the future. I sincerely hope that your journey in this field will be one of challenge and growth, as you turn your dreams into reality. I look forward to seeing how your journey unfolds in the amazing world of robotics, and with that, I conclude this article.