Robotics In College

Q: Is the 'robotics field' a very advisable.. career.. erf, what a word.. for someone who.. wants a bunch of computer programming experience has a huge interest in animatronics borne from Farscape/Star Wars likes wires/gadgetry- but tends to rather suck (currently) at messing with them? Answer, please- I'm interested in some comments from those who actually Know The Field

A: -If you are really serious about building robots, then I would strongly suggest taking a Computer Engineering or Electronics Engineering program. Then you can supplement it with a few mechanical engineering electives. Once you have these as a background, the rest is just imagination. These will give you a much better understanding than just plain 'ol robotics (which you can easily learn from a book in two weeks). You will also have skills transferrable to fields other than just robotics. -There isn't a bachelor's degree in robotics that I know of, mabye someone else knows of one. I majored in computer engineering and did my senior design work in robotics. Computer engineering starts off with the same courses as electrical engineering. But, when EEs start taking power transmission and thermodynamics, the CEs start studying computer data structures and operating system theory. It was really a good fit for what I like and am good at. A slightly more traditional alternative would be to major in electrical engineering and minor in mechanical, or vice-versa. Either

way, be prepared for years of basics before you ever get to play with cool toys. With all due respect for people who did this, I wouldn't recommend a two year degree in robotics technology if you ever hope to have some creative control in design work. You might eventually get to do design, but you will spend more time working your way up in the field than if you got a minimum four year degree from a good school to begin with. The world is full of electro-mechancal devices, including those of the robotic variety. Unless you know someone who will give you a job, getting a degree provides the best chance for working on the things you are expressing an interest in.