Online Robotics Certification and Certificate Information

The field of robotics makes use of many engineering, electronics and computer specialties to create, install, maintain and repair automated mechanical systems. Online technical certificate programs in robotics concentrate either on teaching robotics in junior or senior high school or maintaining industrial robotic systems. Courses for both include strategies for automated systems to move, act, observe, learn and communicate.

Online Technical Certificate Program in Robotics Overview

There are two types of online technical certificate programs in robotics. One is for science teachers to earn certificates to teach robotics systems to middle school and secondary school students. The other is to prepare high school graduates for jobs in the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial robots. In addition, online programs for hobbyists and budding engineers interested in general robotics concepts are generally available, but are not included in this article.

Program Information

Online certificate programs may be geared toward teaching specific educational robotics packages to middle school and secondary school students. These programs are fully online and can take between 6-12 weeks to complete. Students are tasked with assembling increasingly complex robotics projects and completing the software required to control them. They may be privy to sample lesson plans and exercises for their students.
Online programs to prepare high school graduates for careers as robotics technicians are also available completely online and can take 28-34 weeks of part-time enrollment to complete. They concentrate upon the mechanics, power systems, sensors and control programs that are in use by major providers of industrial robotics equipment, as well as the maintenance and repair of these systems. In lieu of specific hands-on exposure to expensive industrial hardware, online coursework includes complex and comprehensive software simulations.
All distance-learning students need access to a computer with multimedia capabilities and a fast Internet connection to receive and return assignments, view lectures, take examinations and communicate with both faculty and peers. Programs may require students to purchase prototype robotics kits, software development systems or robot simulation software. These packages may require a specific hardware platform, operating system, ports and controllers.

Course Information

Courses cover the principles, physical components, capabilities and computer programming requirements that make up the study of robotics. The difference is one of scale, since automated industrial equipment is generally much larger and more robust than commercial student prototype robots. Courses can include:

Robot Mechanics Course

This course presents strategies to move mechanical wheels, tracks, arms and sensors, along with the energy, power and feedback systems required for precision control. Topics include electronics, motors, gears, linkages, torque, hydraulics and pneumatics.

Robot Programming Course

Courses for aspiring teachers of robotics tend to concentrate on a single dedicated programming language, whereas courses for robotics technicians present several software systems and languages that are commonly used in robotics programming. Students are able to write their own control programs and watch them in action, using either their own robot prototypes or pre-packaged computer simulations.

Remote Sensing Course

This course presents the various hardware and software approaches to robotic vision, sound perception, speech recognition and tactile sensation. Capabilities vary widely, ranging from simple surface edge-detection to complex pattern recognition.

Communications Course

Semi-autonomous robotic instruments need the ability to communicate with controllers for feedback or reprogramming. Topics in this class include hardware, software layers and common protocols used by local area networks. They also discuss serial strategies used by robotic systems with dedicated control ports.

Career Information for Graduates

Robotics technicians work for manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of automated systems as well as the end-user companies which buy and use robotic products. Technicians may specialize in installation, configuration, maintenance or repair--or they may be called upon to perform all of these tasks. Similarly, they may be responsible for a small number of similar machines or a wide variety of machine types, manufacturers and control systems.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for electro-mechanical technicians was projected to decline five percent between 2008-2018 as technology continues to mature and use of the systems require less specialized training. The median annual wage for electro-mechanical technicians was $48,010 as of 2009.
Teachers may incorporate robotics into their own courses, supervise after-school robotics activities or serve as advisors for competitive robotics teams. The BLS projected that between 2008 and 2018, job growth rates would grow 15% for middle school teachers and nine percent for secondary school teachers. Median salaries were $50,770 per year for middle school teachers and $52,200 per year for secondary school teachers according to the BLS in 2009 (www.bls.gov).

Continuing Education and Certification Information

Some credits may be applied toward an associate's degree or diploma program for electronics engineering technicians. However, most online programs for robotics do not offer transferable credits and will not count toward higher degrees. Many technicians continue to receive on-the-job training throughout their careers to keep current with advances in hardware and software technology. This may include acquiring various computer and electronics technology certifications, such as those offered through the Robotics Certification Standards Alliance in areas such as welding, embedded systems and AutoCAD. Certification is earned by demonstrating skills and passing an exam.