5 answers
Ashley
Student
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
2
Questions
Asked
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What types of math do I need for robotics
I’m 21 I like music and robots and I want to build and design the animatronics at Disney parks #math #Robots #Disney
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5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Ashley there are no formal animatronics engineering programs in the United States. Instead, most animatronics technologists have a bachelor's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. Typical courses in an engineering program include introduction to robotics, calculus, physics and circuitry, all of which are key to being able to build an operable, mechanized animatronic creation. There also are limited associate's degree programs available in special effects, which can build a solid educational base on which to train to become a robotics engineer. Students can apply their knowledge of robotics engineering in careers designing and executing animatronic displays for feature films and amusement parks. These programs typically include training in robotics, construction and structural design, as well as courses in mathematics, computer science and physics. Prospective robotics engineers can also study art, drafting and 3-D design to learn about the creative aspect of animatronics. In addition to a strong focus on science, mathematics and engineering concepts, the courses in a robotics engineering degree program include ethical and contemporary issues in the world of robotics.
Animatronics is a small, competitive field that typically relies upon the budget of the entertainment industry. According to the BLS, multimedia artists and animators earned a median annual salary of $88,500 in 2020. The same source reported average job growth for multimedia artists and animators, with jobs projected to increase by 4% from 2020-2030.
Hope this was helpful Ashley
Complete an internship. Most employers prefer applicants with prior experience. Interns may work with research and engineering teams to develop software, test new machines or gather information on existing machines. Many internships and jobs require knowledge of Linux operating systems and a programming language, such as C++ or Python. Students can gain these skills in advanced computer science courses.
Because formal education programs are rare for this field, animatronic engineers may receive most of their job-specific knowledge from hands-on training. Entry-level animatronics positions offer opportunities to develop, build and troubleshoot robotic and animatronic creations. Engineers may use computer software and applications to create lifelike models and draw up hardware specifications. They may also learn welding, soldering and other construction techniques used to connect parts.
Animatronics is a small, competitive field that typically relies upon the budget of the entertainment industry. According to the BLS, multimedia artists and animators earned a median annual salary of $88,500 in 2020. The same source reported average job growth for multimedia artists and animators, with jobs projected to increase by 4% from 2020-2030.
Hope this was helpful Ashley
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Leo Reyes
Software Engineer
63
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Leo’s Answer
For robotics you'll need:
* Linear Algebra.
* Calculus, including Vector Calculus.
* Projective Geometry.
* Physics.
* Coding skills.
But for animatronics you probably don't need an advanced degree in these areas. As other people have said: get some hands-on experience, maybe a Lego Mindstorms or an Arduino board and start doing small projects. Also: get an internship in a relevant field as soon as you can.
Get a Lego Mindstorms kit (or similar) and start doing projects
* Linear Algebra.
* Calculus, including Vector Calculus.
* Projective Geometry.
* Physics.
* Coding skills.
But for animatronics you probably don't need an advanced degree in these areas. As other people have said: get some hands-on experience, maybe a Lego Mindstorms or an Arduino board and start doing small projects. Also: get an internship in a relevant field as soon as you can.
Leo recommends the following next steps:
Brayden Reiland
119
Answers
Corvallis, Oregon
Updated
Brayden’s Answer
Hello Ashley, your question is quite open ended so I will answer to the best of my ability. Within robotics you are exposed to a wide variety of tops with varying degree of mathematics. In basic robotics where you are programming basic commands you deal solely with inputs and outputs so while there is little math involved (addition and subtraction) its the code itself that becomes the complex part. As you move further into robotics and trying to send signals to the systems this is where you get into more complex math. Here you will you differential calculus which is basically how is one thing changing with respect to another. An example of this is how an object is moving in the x-direction with respect to time. Basic differential isn't to complex but you can quickly move into math that you can no longer solve by hand and must use software (matlab) in order to solve these problem. Then when you get on the controller side of things where you are trying to communicate with the robot you deal with again differential calculus but specifically Laplace transforms, root locus and bode plots. Here the math can get complex but if you take a second and ask yourself what is going on things can begin to simplify. One piece of advice I can give is that the early classes, Algebra I & II, and derivative and integral calculus are the building blocks for all later math. From there everything stems from these basic principles and it turns into recognizing what is going on and using problem solving tools to solve them.
I hope I was able to give you a little more insight into robotics. Good luck in your ventures!
I hope I was able to give you a little more insight into robotics. Good luck in your ventures!
Thank you for the information
Ashley
Mike Giles
Technical Project Manager / Business Intelligence Developer
1
Answer
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Mike’s Answer
What Nick said. But don't let any sort of mastery slow down your passion for robotics. Consider start working right away with simple robots using an Arduino device and Python to program it. Foundational for getting started: addition, subtraction, percentages, cartesian coordinates (x,y), Pythagorean theorem, and understanding what decimal, binary and hexedecimal numbering is. Algorithms, the set of instructions that make programs "work" will come naturally.
As you progress through fun and easy projects (my first was MyCat Detector) you'll be comfortably challenged to learn the math you need to get the next part done. I imagine with music background your brain already has all it needs to get into Python and start enjoying your passion. The key is learning how to learn the things you need to learn to build the robots you love. I imagine Disney uses their own proprietary programming language to run their robots, so you'll always have to be learning.
Learn some python, it's free. Get an Arduido (or somethin similar)
Imagine a simple robot and build it, or build the one that comes with the Arduino.
Tweak your work, break it, fix it. Be able to explain it.
Call your self a novice robotics engineer.
Keep learning!
As you progress through fun and easy projects (my first was MyCat Detector) you'll be comfortably challenged to learn the math you need to get the next part done. I imagine with music background your brain already has all it needs to get into Python and start enjoying your passion. The key is learning how to learn the things you need to learn to build the robots you love. I imagine Disney uses their own proprietary programming language to run their robots, so you'll always have to be learning.
Mike recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the info
Ashley
Nick D
New York, USA
69
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Speaking as an engineer, I am quite sure you will need to study calculus in order to succeed in robotics. Among other things, calculus is the math that describes motion, electrical properties and behavior, mechanics and physics, all of which are the basis of robotics. I find it beautiful that the same mathematical principles describe so many thing. Since you have an appreciation for music you will be interested to find it applies there too.
Some people find calculus to be challenging but if you treat it as just another set of rules to master and apply, it will come to you, especially with the incentive that its important for your planned career. In your career, it's likely that software will replace the actual need to apply calculus directly, but your insight gained from learning it will be invaluable. Look up calculus in Wikipedia to understand it and be ready to learn it.
Look up calculus in Wikipedia to understand it and be ready to learn it.
Some people find calculus to be challenging but if you treat it as just another set of rules to master and apply, it will come to you, especially with the incentive that its important for your planned career. In your career, it's likely that software will replace the actual need to apply calculus directly, but your insight gained from learning it will be invaluable. Look up calculus in Wikipedia to understand it and be ready to learn it.
Nick recommends the following next steps: