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Northwestern University — Kevin Lynch

Modern Robotics, Course 1: Foundations of Robot Motion

Explore Northwestern’s first Modern Robotics course on configuration spaces, constraints and rigid-body motion, with mathematical modeling and software work.

PaidIntermediate10+ hoursEnglishCertificateRobotics
Go to course

Opens on the provider’s site. Check current access and certificate terms there.

Course overview

The first Modern Robotics course establishes the language used to describe robot motion. Configuration spaces and rigid-body transformations supply the foundation for later kinematics and control work. This is a mathematically serious starting point rather than a short overview of robot products.

What you will learn

  • Describe robot configuration spaces.
  • Represent rigid-body motion mathematically.
  • Relate constraints to a robot’s degrees of freedom.

Who this suits

Intermediate learners prepared for mathematical modeling and programming. The series uses Python, MATLAB or Mathematica; later courses build on earlier Modern Robotics material.

Before you enroll

The mathematical and programming demands vary sharply across robotics courses. Preview the exercises and software setup before enrolling. Use simulations for independent practice; course completion alone does not prepare someone to operate an industrial robot safely.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Model the configuration of a simple simulated mechanism and explain its degrees of freedom before adding motion.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on . It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

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At a glance

Provider
Coursera
Learning format
Course
Price
Paid
Level
Intermediate
Study time (approx.)
10+ hours
Language
English
Certificate
Available; check provider terms
Created by
Northwestern University — Kevin Lynch
Category
Robotics
Page updated
12 Oct 2026