How to Learn Robotics in 2026 | A-Z Complete Guide for Beginners
Table of Contents
What is Robotics and Is It the Right Field for You?
Robotics is the field of Engineering that combines multiple disciplines which includes Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and couple of other subfields.
In simpler words Robotics Engineering is robust and interesting field for those individuals who are into everything and want to see software running into real hardware which enables real interaction between robust hardware system and human.
So, Is Robotics right field for you? The answer is: if you like to design, 3D printing and hands on building of your dream projects and gadgets for-example it can be your cute little robot following you all the time then Yes! Robotics is waiting for you to explore the world of intelligent machines.
Do I Really Need Coding, Math, and Physics for Robotics?
Math and Physics is only required later on when you build Intermediate to Advanced level Projects like drones and self-balancing robots, for getting started you only have to learn basic C++ and watch 3-4 hours of Arduino course on YouTube.
Once you learnt basics, buy an Arduino UNO from local electronics shop and blink a built-in LED on Arduino, it will be your first step into the world of Robotics.
The Ultimate Materials Checklist for Robotics Kit
You can also buy ready-made kit available in many stores
Arduino is the best starting point for robotics journey; it enables you to understand the architecture and functionality of microcontrollers and their programming.
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Which Programming and Microcontrollers to Choose for Robotics
In Robotics field commonly C++ and Python is used for programming the Microcontrollers and Systems, but for getting started learning basics of C++ will be enough to build starter projects.
And in microcontrollers, Arduino is the starting point for most of the beginners, later on Raspberry Pi can be used for complex projects, Difference between Arduino and Raspberry Pi is also most commonly asked from students: Arduino is like a small controller and Raspberry Pi is mini palm size PC.
To learn basic vision tasks with integrating hardware, using ESP32 CAM for this will be a better option.
Once you feel confident with Arduino Projects, shift to ESP32 microcontroller and build same projects with little additional features using Wi-Fi and webserver implementation.
This setup will allow you to become a Starter Robotics Builder.
Can You Learn Robotics on Your Own? A Self-Taught Roadmap
In short here is to the point roadmap you can follow to become roboticist.
Learn C++ Basics (by the end of C++ learning you are expected to implement basic Mathematical formulas into the code)
Start with Arduino, build minimum 5 projects using integration of random sensors and monitor the data of sensors on webserver or Blynk app, you can also use ESP32 instead of Arduino if you feel comfortable to upgrade microcontroller.
Once you feel confident in IoT projects (Arduino and ESP32), Work on Raspberry Pi and build the projects based on RPI, you can implement AI models into your projects and make your robot intelligent.
These 3 steps will give you all required knowledge every roboticist should know.
ROS2 is the skill you must require gaining industrial knowledge of robotics, in this learn Kinematics, Control Systems and implement your learning on Robotic Arms and Drones in ROS2 in Simulation.
This roadmap will help you to gain these skills: Electronics and Electrical Systems, Programming, Logic Building, Design, Physics, Mathematics, Control Systems, Embedded Systems, IoT and more skills like this and it will boost your CV and make you eligible to get your dream job also.
Top 5 Projects in Robotics for Beginners
Obstacle Avoiding Robot Car: Your robot will avoid any obstacle, look for available space and automatically navigate to free space.
Line Following Robot Car: Your robot will follow lines of black or white color exactly like following the path in cafes.
IoT Based Smart Device: Gives you temp, humidity, pressure, gyro values etc on mobile using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Smart Home: You can turn on/off your home appliances using your mobile from any part of the world.
Security System for Home: Build your own CCTV camera with facial recognition and advanced sensors to act accordingly
Conclusion
So, that’s really all there is to it!
Learning robotics looks big and hard from the outside. But as you can see from this guide, it’s just a set of simple steps.
Don’t worry about all the hard stuff like math, physics, or big ROS2 projects yet. Your journey starts with one simple thing: buying an Arduino and making that first LED blink. That’s your first win.
From there, just follow the path. Buy the parts from the list, build some fun projects, and then move up to ESP32 and Raspberry Pi. Every robotics expert you look up to started the exact same way, with one small part and one line of code.
The most important thing is to just start. So, go get your parts, and have fun building!
You can be a “robotics builder” in a few months. The most important thing is to start today and within couple of months you will feel confident to work on robotics
Yes! It’s considered one of the best career paths right now and for the future because almost every big industry is starting to use robots which increases the demand for robotics engineers
Arduino IDE is used to program the microcontroller (Arduino, ESP32) but VS Code is also used to programming microcontrollers, but beginners mostly prefer Arduino IDE for its simplicity and ease of use
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