Introduction to Robotic

Undergraduate course, American University of Phnom Penh, 2026

Introduction to Robotics introduces students to the fundamentals of robot systems, including sensors, actuators, embedded controllers, and basic robot programming. The course emphasizes hands-on labs and real-world applications, enabling students to design, build, and control simple robotic systems.

Course Syllabus

You can find the course Syllabus in here: Robotic Course Syllabus

πŸ‘‹ Introduction

Welcome to the Introduction to Robotics course!

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of robotics, focusing on robot hardware, sensing, actuation, and basic control. Students will learn how robots perceive their environment, make decisions, and interact with the physical world through hands-on labs and projects. The course emphasizes practical implementation using real robotic platforms and sensors.

Robotics concepts will be applied to real-world scenarios such as autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and intelligent robot behavior.


πŸ“‹ Course Overview

πŸ—οΈ Key Topics Covered

Foundations of Robotics

  • What is a robot?
  • Types of robots: mobile, industrial, service robots
  • Basic robot components and architectures

Sensors & Perception

  • Distance sensors (ultrasonic, IR, ToF)
  • IMU and encoders
  • Sensor data interpretation
  • Introduction to sensor fusion

Actuators & Motion

  • DC motors, servo motors, and motor drivers
  • PWM and speed control
  • Differential drive kinematics
  • Robot movement and turning strategies

Embedded Controllers & Programming

  • Microcontrollers for robotics (ESP32 / Arduino / STM32)
  • GPIO, timers, and interrupts
  • Real-time control concepts
  • Robot software structure

Robot Control & Autonomy

  • Open-loop vs. closed-loop control
  • PID control (introduction)
  • Line following and obstacle avoidance
  • Basic autonomous behaviors

Introduction to Robotics Software

  • State machines for robot behavior
  • Introduction to ROS / ROS 2 (conceptual)
  • Debugging and testing robotic systems

By the end of this course, students will be able to design, build, and program a basic autonomous robot and understand the core principles behind robotic systems.


πŸ“ Course Criteria

CriteriaPercentage
Lab20%
Quizzes10%
Assignment10%
Midterm Exam10%
Mini Project30%
Final Project & Presentation20%

πŸ’» Programming & Tools

Students may use the following tools and platforms:

  • Arduino / ESP32 / STM32
  • C / C++ / Python (basic level)
  • Arduino IDE / PlatformIO
  • Serial Monitor & Debugging Tools
  • Basic robotics kits and sensors

Classroom Rules

  • No food or Drink inside the Lab
  • No later than 15 minutes after the class start time.
  • No work for other classes during this class.
  • No gaming (mobile, laptop, or browser games).
  • Do not use equipment without permission.
  • Follow lab instructions and safety rules carefully.
  • Listen respectfully when others are speaking.
  • Respect classmates and the instructor at all times
  • Be open to feedback and constructive criticism.
  • No cheating.

    πŸ—ΊοΈ Course Progress

Note: The following content will be updated progressively as the course advances.

TopicLabAssignmentRemark
ESP32 Setup & Arduino EnvironmentInstallation & LED Blinkβ€”Board setup & first test
Motor & Servo ControlLab 1 – Motor & ServoSolution 1PWM speed & position
Remote Control (Joystick & Button)Lab 2 - Remote ControlAssignment 1Basic navigation logic
IR Remote ControlLab 3 – IR ControlSolution 3Command decoding
Dabble Mobile App Control--Wireless robot control
Ultrasonic-Servo MotorLab4-Dabble_controlSolution 4Servo + distance mapping
Web Server ControlLab5-MIT_Web_ControlSolution 5Real-time browser control
Serial Monitor ControlPractice Labβ€”Debug & command parsing
Midterm AssessmentPractical Testβ€”Core skills evaluation
Raspberry Pi SetupInstallation Taskβ€”Vision-ready environment
Finger Count Detection (MediaPipe)Lab 7 – Gesture ControlSolution 7Vision-based navigation
Line Detection using HSVPractice Labβ€”Robust color detection
YOLOv8-lite on Raspberry Piβ€”β€”Performance trade-offs
Mini Project – Vision RobotMini Project 2DemoLine + vision fusion
Prototype VerificationSystem Testingβ€”Stability & robustness
Final Project TestingDesign Studioβ€”Full system integration
Final Project PresentationFinal Demoβ€”Design reflection

Additional Documents