Autonomous Robotics & Intelligent Engineering Systems – A.R.I.E.S
A comprehensive, hands-on training experience that guides students from foundational robotics principles to building a fully functional autonomous robot.
The course is a comprehensive, hands-on training experience designed to guide students from foundational robotics principles to building a fully functional autonomous robot. The program emphasizes real engineering practices, practical tool usage, structured problem-solving, and exposure to modern robotics systems used in academic research and global competitions.
* All required licensed or paid software tools will be provided to participants throughout the program.
By the end of the program, participants will be able to design, simulate, build, program, and test a working robot equipped with autonomous capabilities. The curriculum integrates mechanical design, electrical system development, embedded programming, Python for robotics, ROS fundamentals, GPS/vision-based navigation, and research methodology.
This initiative is tailored to prepare students for advanced robotics work, competitive engineering teams, and early-stage research. Special pathways include:
- UIU Students: Upon successful completion, students become eligible for direct internship opportunities with the UIU Mars Rover Team. (Terms and conditions applied)
- External Participants: Eligible students will be offered free membership opportunities with CAIR, subject to interview. (With an interview procedure)
Mentorship Support: Each project team will be assigned a dedicated mentor from the UIU Mars Rover Team (UMRT) for technical and academic guidance throughout the bootcamp. Mentors will function as engineering advisors, supporting teams in weekly progress reviews, design validation, troubleshooting, and ensuring adherence to industry-standard development practices. This mentorship structure enables participants to receive direct expert support, strengthens project quality, and enhances overall learning outcomes through continuous, personalized supervision.
What you will learn
- Understand the interdisciplinary foundations of robotics across mechanical, electrical, and computational domains.
- Demonstrate proficiency in 3D modeling and simulation for robotic structures.
- Design and assemble functioning electrical systems for robotics applications.
- Program microcontrollers using C/C++ and implement control algorithms.
- Utilize Python for simulation, data handling, and introductory AI tasks.
- Develop and test autonomous behavior using sensors, GPS input, and vision-based navigation.
- Apply basic ROS workflows including nodes, topics, messages, and data visualization.
- Integrate odometry, sensor fusion, and path-planning concepts into practical systems.
- Conduct structured scientific research and present project outcomes effectively.
- Produce a complete robot project suitable for portfolios, competitions, or research entry.
After the course you can
- Design and model robotic systems from first principles
- Use modern 3D CAD and simulation software
- Build and debug real electronic circuitry
- Program embedded systems and develop control algorithms
- Implement autonomous behaviors
- Work with ROS as a beginner-to-intermediate user
- Build a portfolio-ready robotics project
- Enter competitive robotics teams or pursue research pathways
- Engage confidently in multidisciplinary engineering problem-solving
How the course works
- Mentorship from award-winning robotics practitioners
- Access to real hardware, tools, and testing environments
- Project-driven, industry-aligned learning experience
- Exposure to cutting-edge robotics domains including space, underwater, and aerial systems
- A complete robot to showcase beyond the classroom
- A certification that reflects practical competence rather than theory alone
- Direct pathways to internship or membership opportunities for eligible participants
- State-of-the-art robotics lab with tools, sensors, and hands-on hardware access from the very first class at United International University.
Course outline
1Class 1: Introduction to Robotics & Project Selection
- What robotics really means across different industries
- Examples from Mars Rover, drones, underwater robots, and industrial arms
- Choosing your project type (wheeled rover, robot arm, drone basics, underwater model, etc.)
2Class 2: Principles of Mechanical Design
- Setting scope for a 3-month project
- Understanding structure, materials and load
- Basics of linkages, wheels, gears, bearings and frames
- Introduction to 3D design tools (Software provided)
3Classes 3–4: 3D Modeling Simulation
- Start sketching your robot
- Creating a full robot model
- Simulating movement and testing mechanical feasibility
- Checking clearances, center of mass, joint movement
- Exporting files for real-world fabrication
- Print your first designed object
4Classes 5–6: Electrical Design Essentials
- Basics of circuits, power systems and grounding
- Foundations of Safe Electrical design
- Wiring diagrams and power distribution
- Introduction to PCB Design Software
- Design your first Circuit
- Hands-on: Build your first working circuit
- Introduction to microcontrollers
- ESCs, drivers, sensors
- GPIOs, PWM, ADC, interrupts
5Class 7: Embedded Programming (C/C++)
- Introduction to embedded programming and IDE
- Writing simple control programs
- Motor control basics
- Control system
6Class 8: Python for Robotics
- Using Python for simulation, data handling and basic AI tasks
- Interfacing sensors and camera modules
- Image processing basics
7Class 9: Introduction to ROS
- What autonomy really means
- Structured approach to automation
- Installing and using ROS (ROS1 or ROS2)
- Nodes, topics, messages
8Class 10: Sensor Integration in ROS
- Using encoders, IMUs, and wheel kinematics
- Practical: Visualize sensor data in ROS
- Autonomy based PID, sensor feedback and behavior control
- Hands-on: Write your robot’s first basic autonomous routine
- Making a Line Following Robot with ROS
9Class 11: GPS-Guided & Vision-Based Navigation
- How GPS-guided navigation works
- Image-based path detection
- Sensor fusion basics (IMU + GPS)
- Hands-on: Build a simple image-based navigation script
10Class 12: Odometry based Navigation
- Creating Robot Description using URDF
- Differential drive & Odometry
- Creating Maps
11Class 13: Advanced Navigation
- SLAM, and navigation stack overview
- Path planning & navigation using ROS
- Making a waypoint following robot with ROS
12Class 14: Special Topics in Robotics
- Introduction to specialized Robotics
- Space robotics
- Industrial manipulators
- Underwater robotics
- Aerial robotics
- Disaster-rescue systems
- Case studies from real missions and competitions
13Class 15: Research Methodology
- How to structure scientific research
- Literature review & understanding previous work
- Problem statement, hypothesis, methodology
14Class 16: Final Project Update
- Final project guidance and troubleshooting
- Evaluating Teamwork and completeness
- Suggestions for the Best Robo competition
Assessment and certificate
- Assignment 1 – End of Class 4 – Module: Mechanical Design & 3D Modeling (Classes 2–4) – 3D robot model, mechanical simulation, exported fabrication files
- Assignment 2 – End of Class 8 – Module: Electrical Systems + Embedded & Python Programming (Classes 5–8) – Electrical circuit build, microcontroller input/output tasks, C/C++ control logic, basic Python robotics tasks
- Assignment 3 (Final) – End of Class 13 (Viva in Class 14) – Module: Autonomous Systems, ROS, Navigation, GPS/Vision (Classes 9–13) – Autonomous routine, ROS node/topic implementation, navigation demo (line/GPS/vision), documentation
- Month 4 – C [14, 15, 16] – Final Project + Viva – Special Topics, Research Methodology, Final Project Troubleshooting
- Certification requirement: ≥ 75% Assignment Completion
- Certification requirement: ≥ 80% Attendance
- Certification requirement: ≥ 75% Project Competence (based on rubric)
- Final project: Each participant is required to design, develop, and present a complete robot incorporating: a fully 3D-designed and printed mechanical structure; functional electronic circuitry with safe wiring practices; C/C++ program controlling robot behavior; at least one autonomous capability (e.g., GPS navigation, image-based navigation, ROS integration); supporting documentation including simulation files, codebase, and test results.
- A formal evaluation and viva session will assess design rationale, implementation quality, and autonomous functionality.
- The final project will be carried out in teams consisting of 3–5 members. Each team will collaborate on mechanical design, electronics, programming, and autonomous system integration, following real-world engineering workflows.
- Certificate will be given after successful course completion
Taught by
Md Abid Hossain
Sudipto Mondal
Expertise in robotics, drones & embedded systems.
Mentors
Md Mosfiqur Rahman
Sheikh Shakib Hossain
Shaif Al Shad
Tawsif Turabi
Course terms
CDIP terms and conditions apply to every course.