Here's how you can enter the field of Robotics with no prior experience.

You need a source of motivation to start with robotics. If you begin by just learning C++ or Python without a goal, you may become demotivated and abandon the field. My suggestion is to buy a mobile robot kit or simulate one in Gazebo and set a specific goal for the robot, such as navigating a path or performing a cool task.

Starting your journey into Robotics is by immersing yourself in the basics. Begin by understanding the core concepts of mechanics, electronics, and computer programming. There are loads of free online courses, which can provide you with basic knowledge of programming languages such as python and C++, which are widely used in Robotics. You can also start with basic embedded systems such as Arduino and ESP32, to understand how electronic components work, and how you can program them. That would also help you learn wiring, control systems, sensors, and algorithms. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the basics of machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI), which are crucial topics for developing sophisticated robots.

Robotics is now all about artificial intelligence. First of all, learn the basic terms and concepts in modern AI programming. To start with, it is better to choose a suitable robotics simulator with the ability to train a simple neural network for your future virtual robot. Conduct various experiments with your virtual robot. Complicate the neural network and conduct experiments again.

Begin by mastering basics of mechanics, electronics, & programming, to start your Robotics journey. Free online courses & tutorials can help you build a solid foundation. Learn programming languages like Python, which is crucial for writing control software & algorithms in Robotics. Get acquainted with machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), as they play a key role in developing advanced Robots. Explore Robotics by experimenting with hands-on projects, building Simple Robots to apply your knowledge practically. Join Robotics clubs local meetups to connect with others in field, share ideas. Document your top niche projects with photos, testimonials, descriptions to track your progress & build a world class diverse solid portfolio.

Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects are great starters with actual code. If you want to start at the base level, try the ukits(UBTECH education). Lego like robots that you can program with blocks. There’s beginner, intermediate and advanced kits.

In my experience, do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are one of the best ways to apply your knowledge and skills to the real world. You can start by making simple projects involving Arduino, ESP32, ESP8266, and other basic microcontrollers. After that, try making advanced projects & you can also go for Raspberry Pi, or Nvidia Jetson Nano. This can help you gain hands on experience in the field of robotics. You can also maintain a documentation of every project you do in a portfolio such as GitHub, to keep a track of all the projects. This can later be used to showcase your skills and projects to the hiring teams, as a proof of knowledge and intellect. Furthermore, each project you complete, would be a feather in your hat, which you can show off!

Several DIY kits are available in the market nowadays. They are packed with sensors, micro-controllers, jumper wires, LED s and much more. In the very beginning you can try DIY project by following YouTube video instructions. It's very easy and funny. You will get enough motivation to keep learning in the field.

Try to find a ready-made working body for your future robot. In the best case scenario, the robot body kit can be connected to a computer to upload a pre-trained neural network inside the robot body. In an ideal situation, it is better to choose a compatible modeling system to train the neural network for your robot and then upload it into the actual robot body and experiment with it. Try to choose different tasks for your robot and train it over and over again.

Joining online communities is important as they offer lot of opportunities to gain knowledge, and experiences from different people around the world. These platforms allow you to connect with like-minded people and get their guidance, support and feedback on the projects you have made so far. For ex: #Arduino has a Forum online where people can discuss about their projects, seek advice, and also help other troubleshoot their errors. Same with #ROS discourse, where people can discuss about new robots and upcoming projects. #RaspberryPi has a huge online community, and by subscribing to their free newsletter, you can gain insights to latest and upcoming tech news! Networking with new people can also lead to new collaborative opportunities.

Just read, read and read online communities/articles on robotics and watch instructional videos to get started. After a while, you'll be able to ask the community interesting questions.

There is no alternative to formal education. If you're really serious about a career in Robotics, consider getting a bachelor's degree in engineering majors such as mechanical, electrical, or computer science engineering. Since there is no bachelor's degree that's completely focused on Robotics, the solution is to major in any of these, and go pursue a master's degree in Robotics for advanced learning. While these programs offer structured learning, and access to advanced resources like laboratories and industry tools, but the formal education may require a significant investment of time and money. If taken seriously, a degree can be a valuable asset, providing in depth knowledge and a competitive edge over the others in the job market.

Formal education will help you not slip into bad design, lets use best practices in your projects, gives you a strong logical/mathematical base, gives you new contacts/perspectives, and of course a new item on your resume.

The great thing about the robotics industry today is there are so many variety of different career paths and product focuses. Especially with the amount of free resources online.

Gaining Practical hands-on experience in the field of Robotics is the most challenging part of learning. If you are unable to find a job, try looking for volunteer positions, or entry-level jobs that allow you to work on robotics systems. Real-world experience will help you understand the applications of robotics in various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare or logistics. Also, you can try searching for basic jobs involving robotics, such as entry-level teaching jobs or you can also try freelancing with companies, that give you client projects, on contractual basis, so that you can gain some experience. This would help you develop soft skills, like team-work and also build your professional network.

Practice Is the Criterion of Truth. It is only through practice that we realize what our knowledge is worth. Only in practice can we discover our misunderstanding of certain issues. It is practice that makes knowledge alive. It is practice that will give you a solid foundation for future projects.

Entering the field of robotics without prior experience is challenging but entirely achievable with determination and a commitment to staying updated. As robotics is a vast field one needs to keep themselves updated by following industry trends, advancements, and breakthroughs in Robotics. Subscribe to newsletters, join online forums, and participate in webinars and conferences. This knowledge will keep you abreast of the latest technologies and applications.

Staying updated is very critical thing in this kind of transforming technologies. Today's winning robot will be the worst robot tomorrow. It's vastly changing over the time. If you are looking to robotics updates by joining groups, you will get to know about the vast change in the robotics during a week. Subscribe to robotic news papers and keeping updated in the field is really matters for a successful carrier.

Expand your Robotics journey by focusing on Problem-Solving, Creativity with real-world challenges. Explore how Robotics is used in different Industries like Manufacturing , FMCG, Automotive, Real Estate Industry to understand its impact. Stay curious, Build a diverse project portfolio to show your Versatility, Consider participating in Mentorship programs for valuable Insights. Participate in mentorship programs, either as mentor or mentee, to gain valuable insights, guidance. Learn about Robotic safety standards, regulations to ensure your designs are compliant, safe. Engage in Interdisciplinary Collaborations to see how Robotics integrates with other fields, stay curious about Emerging Technologies, trends to stay ahead in Robotics field