Building Blocks of Robotics
The Knowledge Building Blocks page is a work in progress, we’ll have detailed explanations of each of the five core areas soon!
Get your bearings
Learning robotics can be overwhelming without the right map. At MotorGo, we use five widely accepted categories as building blocks for robotics.
The 5 Core Areas:
Brains (Computation) 🧠
This is where robots think and make decisions. Things like algorithms, data management, and motor control decisions all start in Computation.
Energy (Power Management) ⚡️
Just like muscles need energy to move, robots need power to function. Power Management covers things like battery management, voltage regulation, and safe power distribution.
Senses (Sensing) 👀
Like humans, robots perceive their environment to inform their decisions. This involves sensors like cameras, rangefinders, and thermocouples. Sensors allow robots to “see” and “hear” what’s around them.
Messaging (Communication) 📡
Robots need a way to “speak” and “listen” to other devices or systems. This includes Bluetooth and WiFi, as well as protocols like UART, I2C, and SPI. Fast, reliable Communication makes integration possible.
Movement (Actuation) 💪
Finally, Actuation is how a robot moves and interacts with the world. This includes a range of tools that generally convert electrical power into some kind of mechanical power - motors, pumps, and pneumatics to name a few.
Beyond the docs
Robotics is a big field. See our Map of Robotics page for practical steps on what to study to get into robotics, and how to avoid overwhelm/burnout as you go.
