Field of studies Robotics and Automatic Control (studies in English) - Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warszawska), PW Warszawa (Warsaw) - Warsaw, engineering and engineering trades - Study Bachelor's and Master's in English in Poland

1. A mobile robot in your lab oscillates when following a line. What do you do?

I analyse the feedback loop, tune the PID gains and check the system’s stability in simulation. I change parameters randomly until it looks better. I’d leave it to someone else.

2. How do you feel about state-space models, transfer functions and Lyapunov stability?

I find them powerful – solid control theory is what makes robots reliable. I know the basics and use them when needed. Too much theory for me.

3. You need to fuse data from a camera, lidar and IMU to estimate a robot’s position. How do you approach it?

I’d implement a Kalman filter or a similar estimator and validate it on recorded data. I’d find a ready library and hope it works. I don’t know and don’t want to learn.

4. The programme is taught in English, and you’ll work on team projects with engineers from many countries. How do you feel about that?

Great – robotics documentation, frameworks and conferences are in English, and international teams are standard in industry. I manage technical English, but meetings in English would be a challenge. I’d rather study in my own language, with people from my own country.

5. Which project would you choose for your thesis?

Designing a control algorithm for a collaborative robot arm that works safely next to people. Rewriting existing documentation. Neither of them.

6. How do you feel about writing real-time code for embedded controllers and ROS nodes?

I enjoy it – making software and hardware work together is satisfying. I can do it, but I prefer theory. I’d rather avoid programming.

7. A factory asks you to automate a production line that has frequent stoppages. How do you react?

I’d model the process, identify bottlenecks and propose a PLC-based control and monitoring solution. I’d suggest buying new machines. I’d decline – it’s not interesting.

8. How do you feel about safety standards and risk assessment for machines that move near people?

It’s crucial – I’d design safety functions into the system from the start. I’d follow them because I have to. They just slow down the work.

9. Which future role sounds most like you?

Control systems engineer, robotics R&D engineer or automation team leader. Some engineering job, I’m not sure which. A job without engineering.

10. What motivates you most to pursue a Master’s degree in Robotics and Automatic Control?

The wish to design intelligent machines and control systems that solve real industrial and social problems. Higher earnings as an engineer. I’m not sure it’s for me

Robotics and Automatic Control

⇑Robotics and Automatic Control at PW Warszawa

⇑Test: Is Robotics and Automatic Control the right fit for you?

⇑Definitions and quotes