When I taught at Connaly High School, I was fortunate enough to help begin a robotics program there for students. You can read more about this under the about me>my teaching practice tab. In short, it was one of the most impactful things I have ever been fortunate to be a part of. And yes, my beard as grown a bit since then.

I was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Ashish Deshpande on my master's thesis at the University of Texas. He leads the ReNeu Robotics Lab on campus focusing on Rehabilitation and Neuromuscular Robotics. 

A roboticist is a professional who designs, builds, programs and maintains robots. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation.

Here are some of the specific tasks that roboticists may perform:

• Designing robots: Robotics engineers use their engineering, computer science, and physics knowledge to design robots that can perform specific tasks. This may involve creating blueprints, 3D models, and prototype robots.

• Building robots: Robotics engineers work with technicians and machinists to build robots from the ground up. This may involve assembling components, wiring the robots, and testing them to ensure that they work properly.

• Programming robots: Robotics engineers write the software that controls robots. This software tells the robots how to move, what to do, and how to interact with their environment.

• Maintaining robots: Robotics engineers keep robots in working order by performing regular maintenance and repairs. This may involve troubleshooting problems, replacing parts, and updating software.

Robotics engineers must have a strong understanding of engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics. They must also be able to think creatively and solve problems. In addition, they must be able to work well as part of a team and communicate effectively with other engineers, technicians, and machinists.

Are you curious if a career in robotics might be a good fit for you? Here are some of the specific skills that roboticists need:

• Engineering skills: Robotics engineers need to have a strong understanding of engineering principles, such as mechanics, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.

• Computer science skills: Robotics engineers need to be proficient in programming languages, such as Python, C++, and Java. They also need to have a strong understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

• Physics skills: Robotics engineers need to have a good understanding of physics, such as kinematics, dynamics, and thermodynamics.

• Mathematics skills: Robotics engineers need to be proficient in mathematics, such as calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.

• Problem-solving skills: Robotics engineers need to be able to think creatively and solve problems. They need to be able to identify and troubleshoot problems and come up with innovative solutions.

• Communication skills: Robotics engineers need to be able to communicate effectively with other engineers, technicians, and machinists. They need to be able to explain complex technical concepts concisely.

If you are interested in becoming a roboticist, there are a few things you can do to prepare:

• Get a degree in robotics: There are many colleges and universities that offer degrees in robotics. These degrees will give you the skills and knowledge you need to start a career in robotics. See the links at the bottom of the page

• Gain experience: There are many ways to gain experience in robotics. You can volunteer at a robotics lab, intern at a robotics company, or start your own robotics project.

• Network with other roboticists: Networking with other roboticists is a great way to learn about new opportunities and stay up to date on the latest trends in robotics. You can network with roboticists at robotics conferences, meetups, and online forums..

Robotics is a challenging but rewarding field. If you are interested in working on the cutting edge of technology, a career in robotics may be the perfect fit for you.

The career outlook for robotics is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of robotics engineers will grow 2% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for robots in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation.

Here are some of the specific industries that are expected to see the most growth in robotics employment:

• Manufacturing: Robots are increasingly being used in manufacturing to automate tasks such as welding, assembly, and painting. This is expected to lead to increased demand for robotics engineers in this industry.

• Healthcare: Robots are being used in healthcare to perform a variety of tasks, such as surgery, patient care, and rehabilitation. This is expected to lead to increased demand for robotics engineers in this industry.

• Transportation: Robots are being used in transportation to automate tasks such as driving cars, flying airplanes, and operating freight ships. This is expected to lead to increased demand for robotics engineers in this industry.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in robotics, get started by checking out our engineering technology program here at ACC. You also may decide to take math, physics, engineering, and science classes here at ACC and prepare for transfer.

I believe that one of the best ways to gain experience while you are in college is to get involved anywhere you can in that field. Rarely are these opportunities paid, but the experience for you is vital. With robotics, it is easy to gain this experience. Robotics competitions are commonplace not only at the high school level but also at middle school and even elementary.

The largest robotics program for K-12 students is FIRST. Several teams would love to have your help. Remember, you do not need to have all the answers. Your willingness to learn and help is more than enough.

Useful links

Engineering technology here at ACC

O*net information for Robotics Technicians

O*net information for Robotics Engineers

University of Texas Robotics

Texas A&M Robotics

Texas State Robotics

Rice University Robotics

University of Texas at Arlington Robotics

University of Texas at Dallas

Baylor Robotics

University of Texas at San Antonio

University of North Texas Robotics

IEEE Student robotics organization