What do you do if you're struggling to grasp robotic path planning and navigation?

-Efficient motion minimizes energy & time by taking shortest path. -Navigation adjusts path to avoid obstacles. Learn/Practice: -Spatial Reasoning: Practice imagining & visualizing spatial layouts. Start with simple ones, progress to complex. -Basics: Master Geometry, Trigonometry, Linear Algebra, Calculus, & Motion Physics to represent spatial config thru’ equations. Practice equation visualization. -Sensing: Comprehend sensor data translation, e.g., Lidar measures distance via light reflection time. This feedback aids obstacle avoidance & navigation adjustment. -Practice: Use simulations to refine understanding & recognize patterns. -Pattern Recognition: Improve by observing & adjusting mental models of spatial layouts during practice.

Begin with a solid understanding of the sensors that enable robots to perceive their environments, such as LiDAR. Grasping the basics of robot motion, specifically kinematics, is essential for understanding how robots move and interact with their surroundings. Additionally, familiarize yourself with different coordinate systems, which are vital for programming robot movements accurately. A deep understanding of control systems is also necessary, as it allows for the precise management of a robot’s mechanical components based on sensor inputs. Finally, be aware of the physical constraints that define a robot's capabilities and limitations.

Prior to embarking on any project, it is imperative to dive into fundamental concepts. In the realm of robotics, a thorough comprehension of these basics often resolves a significant portion of challenges. Reacquainting oneself with principles of dynamics, sensors, and programming not only fortifies existing knowledge but also enhances problem-solving capabilities. Upon revisitation, these fundamentals offer fresh perspectives, fostering ideation and facilitating clearer discernment of underlying issues. Hence, prioritizing Basics First remains number one in navigating the complexities of robotics.

Master the basics of robotics before delving into complex algorithms. Understand sensors like lidar and sonar, and principles of motion like kinematics. Take integration systems, control systems, and physical constraints. It’s like walking before running; A strong foundation facilitates advanced thinking.

Plenty of books out there on basic planning algorithms. Start simple, graph search, 2d spaces, simple representations, then start adding complexity and build from there.

There are plenty robotics courses from top universities available online for free. Look at the course notes, see what textbooks they recommend, find 2-3 and choose the one that works best for you. You'll need something that starts with the basics, provides a solid theoretical foundation, but also does not shy away from the practicalities of needing to implement the algorithms on real hardware. Too old books tend to reference obsolete sofware frameworks, so find something that comes with code examples or implementation excercises you can actually do on modern hardware and software. Prefer Python or C++ resources as these are the most used languages in the field and have good language features to implement most robotics algorithms.

Look for tutorials, case studies, and open-source projects that demonstrate path planning and navigation implementations. Analyze the code, understand the algorithmic logic, and observe how different parameters affect performance. Websites like GitHub and ROS Wiki host numerous repositories with example code and documentation that can be invaluable for learning and reference.

Explore online tutorials, courses, and forums where experts share detailed guides and examples. Join robotics communities to ask questions and exchange ideas with both beginners and seasoned professionals. Additionally, books and academic papers provide in-depth insights into advanced topics like robotic path planning and navigation. Utilizing these diverse learning materials will significantly enhance your knowledge and skills in robotics.

Explore online courses, seminars and tutorials on robotics for valuable learning resources. Experts provide step-by-step instructions and examples to aid understanding. Join the robotics community to exchange experiences and seek guidance. Books and academic papers provide in-depth insights into strategic planning and transport development.

Utilizing simulation tools is a highly effective method for practicing robotic path planning and navigation without physical robots. Simulations available in ROS such as Gazebo, offer a virtual environment where you can test and refine different algorithms. These simulations allow you to visualize a robot's real-life navigation, identify any issues, and make necessary adjustments. This approach is not only safe but also cost-effective, making it an excellent way to enhance and test your robotics skills.

ROS and other simulation tools provide a similar environment for robotic path planning and navigation studies. Experiment with different algorithms and scenarios to visualize a real-life journey. Identify and prepare action items, all in a safe and cost-effective manner.

ROS2, Gazebo, webots, Drake, Python, Matlab, in that order. Alternatively, game engines are getting good these days. Also worth having a look at what tools NVIDIA is releasing. For more serious work, it's worth having a look at the tools industrial robot manufacturers are providing for programming their robots. Kuka, Fanuc, ABB, UR, Yaskawa, etc.

Participate in practical projects to gain valuable hands-on experience. Start with simple tasks like programming a wheeled robot to move around the room. Gradually increase the complexity with more obstacles or firmer terrain. This approach reinforces understanding through the theoretical application of real-world knowledge.

Robotics is a very hands-on field. Best learned with a project in mind. Start small, in simulation, then consider any of the hundreds of arduino/raspberryPi robotic kits out there. Choose a focus area, be it manipulation, navigation, legged locomotion, flight, etc. and go from there.

Understand route planning systems such as A*, Dijkstra's, RRT. Understand their strategies, strengths and weaknesses. Learn to recognize when each is best used for effective problem solving. The selection of an appropriate algorithm is of utmost importance for successful robotic navigation.

Participate in continuing education to learn about advances in robotic path design and navigation. Attend workshops, webinars and seminars. Challenge yourself with new projects and problems. Continuous learning not only helps to overcome current challenges, but also prepares for future robotic advancements.