Robot Modeling, Simulation, and Control with ROS 2
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Robot Modeling, Simulation, and Control with ROS 2
This course is part of Mastering ROS 2 for Robotics Programming Specialization
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What you'll learn
Model and simulate robots in realistic ROS 2 environments
Control robot behavior using ros2_control and BehaviorTree.CPP
Implement navigation, manipulation, and perception with Nav2 and MoveIt 2
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
May 2026
7 assignments
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There are 7 modules in this course
Robot modeling, simulation, and control are critical skills for developing intelligent and reliable robotic systems. This course focuses on using ROS 2 to design, simulate, and control robots, enabling developers to build and test complex robotic workflows in realistic environments.
You will learn how to create 3D robot models, simulate their behavior, and implement control systems using industry-standard ROS 2 tools. The course guides you through navigation, manipulation, and perception workflows, helping you gain hands-on experience with real-world robotics applications. What makes this course unique is its end-to-end approach, combining modeling, simulation, control, and advanced frameworks like behavior trees. It bridges theory with practical implementation using widely adopted ROS 2 ecosystems. This course is ideal for robotics developers, engineers, and intermediate learners familiar with ROS basics. Prior knowledge of ROS 2 fundamentals and programming in Python or C++ is recommended. This course is part two of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization.
This module introduces the fundamentals of robot 3D modeling in ROS 2, including the use of CAD tools, URDF/Xacro formats, and visualization techniques. Learners will gain hands-on experience exporting CAD models to URDF, configuring robot components, and visualizing models in RViz. Practical workflows using Fusion 360 and VS Code Dev Containers are also covered.
What's included
1 video12 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
12 readingsβ’Total 57 minutes
- Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Robot Modeling Toolsβ’3 minutes
- Introduction to URDF and Xacroβ’5 minutes
- Tagβ’5 minutes
- Visualizing URDF Links and Jointsβ’5 minutes
- Working with the Xacro Modelβ’6 minutes
- Exporting a 3D CAD Robot Model to URDFβ’4 minutes
- Installing the Fusion 360 to URDF Pluginβ’3 minutes
- Modeling a Robot in Fusion 360β’5 minutes
- Adding a LiDAR Base and Lidar to the Robotβ’6 minutes
- Visualizing the Robot in RVizβ’6 minutes
- ROS 2 URDF Development Using VS Code Dev Containerβ’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Robot Modeling in ROS 2 Fundamentalsβ’16 minutes
This module introduces learners to simulating robots using advanced tools such as Gazebo and Webots. You will explore the process of creating 3D robot models, configuring simulation files, and integrating simulations with ROS 2. By the end, you'll be able to compare simulator features and run simulations for both custom and existing robots.
What's included
1 video9 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
9 readingsβ’Total 47 minutes
- Introductionβ’6 minutes
- Features of Gazebo Simulatorsβ’5 minutes
- Gazebo Clientβ’5 minutes
- Simulating a Robot Using Gazebo Simβ’5 minutes
- Simulating a Robot Using ROS 2 and Gazeboβ’6 minutes
- Updating URDF Tags for Simulationβ’5 minutes
- Simulation of Differential Drive Robotsβ’6 minutes
- Gazebo Simulation of Existing Robotsβ’4 minutes
- Introduction to the Webots Simulatorβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Robot Simulation Fundamentalsβ’16 minutes
This module introduces the ros2_control framework, guiding learners through its architecture, the process of adding and managing controllers, and hands-on interaction using command-line tools. Learners will also gain experience compiling and integrating custom controller plugins into a ROS 2 system.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
5 readingsβ’Total 31 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- Understanding the ROS2 Control Framework Architectureβ’5 minutes
- Adding controllers to the robotβ’6 minutes
- Interacting with the ROS2 Control Framework Using the CLIβ’10 minutes
- Compiling the controller pluginβ’6 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- ROS2 Control Framework Fundamentalsβ’16 minutes
This module introduces the fundamentals of Behavior Trees (BTs) and demonstrates how to implement them in ROS 2 applications using the BehaviorTree.CPP library. Learners will explore BT node structures, integrate BTs with ROS 2 nodes and actions, and utilize the blackboard for data sharing. By the end, participants will be able to coordinate complex robotic behaviors through modular and maintainable code.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
7 readingsβ’Total 37 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- Basic Concepts of BTsβ’6 minutes
- Introducing the BehaviorTree.cpp Libraryβ’5 minutes
- Creating the tree executorβ’6 minutes
- Integrating ROS 2 and BTsβ’5 minutes
- Using the BT Blackboardβ’4 minutes
- Integrating BTs with ROS 2 Actionsβ’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Behavior Tree Implementation in ROS 2β’16 minutes
This module introduces the ROS 2 Navigation Stack (Nav2), exploring its modular architecture, core components, and practical applications in autonomous robot navigation and mapping. Learners will gain hands-on experience with simulation demos, launch file configuration, and real-world case studies, including hospital delivery robots. By the end, you'll understand how to set up, customize, and deploy Nav2 for various robotics scenarios.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
10 readingsβ’Total 51 minutes
- Introductionβ’4 minutes
- Features of Nav2β’6 minutes
- Controller Serverβ’4 minutes
- How Does Nav2 Workβ’5 minutes
- Nav2 Demo Using TurtleBot3β’6 minutes
- Nav2 Using VS Code Dev Containersβ’5 minutes
- Mapping Demo Using Slam Toolboxβ’6 minutes
- ROS 2 Navigation and Mapping Launch Filesβ’4 minutes
- Case Study Nav2-based Robots During COVID-19β’6 minutes
- BT Navigator Server in Nav2β’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- ROS 2 Navigation Stack Fundamentalsβ’16 minutes
This module guides learners through configuring and using MoveIt 2 for advanced robotic arm manipulation. You will prepare robot models, set up motion planning in simulated environments, and implement obstacle detection using sensors. By the end, you'll be able to plan and execute complex robot motions while accounting for real-world constraints.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
7 readingsβ’Total 34 minutes
- Introductionβ’6 minutes
- Preparing the Robot Model to Use MoveIt 2β’3 minutes
- Configuring New Robots for MoveIt 2β’6 minutes
- Testing MoveIt 2 Using Rviz2β’6 minutes
- Cartesian Space Planningβ’5 minutes
- Planning with Obstaclesβ’4 minutes
- Detecting Obstacles Using a Depth Sensorβ’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- Robot Manipulation with MoveIt 2β’16 minutes
This module introduces the integration of ROS 2 with perception tools such as OpenCV and NVIDIA Isaac ROS, enabling robots to process and interpret sensory data. Learners will explore camera calibration, depth sensing, and GPU-accelerated image processing to enhance robotic perception capabilities. Practical exercises include working with fiducial markers for pose estimation and optimizing performance for real-world robotics applications.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 videoβ’Total 1 minute
- Overviewβ’1 minute
6 readingsβ’Total 34 minutes
- Introductionβ’6 minutes
- Getting Started with OpenCV ROS 2 Integrationβ’6 minutes
- Getting Started with Camera Calibrationβ’4 minutes
- Getting Started with Depth Sensorsβ’8 minutes
- Using NVIDIA Isaac ROS to Speed Up Image Processingβ’5 minutes
- Starting the Isaac ROS AprilTag Nodeβ’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 16 minutes
- ROS 2 and Perception Stack Fundamentalsβ’16 minutes
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Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.
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