A robot interacts with the world through two kinds of hardware: sensors that tell it what is happening, and actuators that let it act. Everything a robot does is a loop between the two, so choosing and understanding them well is a core part of the job.
You'll start with the sensors robots rely on most: ultrasonic and infrared sensors, LiDAR, cameras, IMUs, and encoders. You'll see what each one measures, the difference between sensing the world and sensing the robot's own motion, and why real robots combine several sensors instead of trusting just one.
Then you'll move to the other side of the loop: DC, servo, and stepper motors. You'll learn how each works and when to pick one over another, such as continuous rotation for wheels versus precise angles for joints. These parts feed directly into Control Systems and Kinematics & Dynamics.
An overview of the sensors used in robotics, from ultrasonic and infrared to LiDAR, IMU, and cameras, and what each one helps a robot do.
A university lecture on IMUs and encoders, the sensors robots use to track their own motion, along with omni wheels for mobile robot bases.
A tutorial on the basics of four motor types used in robots, how each one works, and where it fits.
How servo and stepper motors work and how they compare, to help you choose the right actuator for a joint or axis.