Robotics generally involves a combination of sensing, actuation,
and computation. Resaerchers design and analyze machines that
interact with the physical world to accomplish tasks such as
autonomous driving, surveillance, vacuuming, raising crops,
exploring planets, and automating factories. It is important
for students to develop a broad, interdiscplinary background
because many robotic issues are well outside of computer
science. The robotics community is very international and
interdisciplinary. In the US, most robotics researchers work
in engineering departments, such as mechanical, electrical,
and aerospace.
Within computer science, all robotics students should develop
a strong background in algorithms. Taking CS 473G is essential.
Computational geometry, when offered, is extremely valuable.
The theory of computation (CS 475 or beyond) is also worth
considering.
The following areas of computer science have close ties
with robotics:
- Computer vision
- Computer graphics
- Machine learning
- Scientific computing