Mechatronics, Computer Vision, Control Theory, State Estimation, Path Planning, etc?
Mechatronics, Computer Vision, Control Theory, State Estimation, Path Planning, etc?
Similar questions get posted pretty often in engineering subreddits and it's difficult to answer as robotics is so multi-disciplinary.
Very few people in this world are skilled enough in embedded programming, PCB design (motor control and sensors), materials and structures, dynamics and kinematics, controls and machine design (CAD, selecting manufacturing processes, selecting various COTS mechanical parts like actuators and bearings) to be a one-man-robot making orchestra.
Advice to OP: pick a specialization to start with, and focus on learning that while using pre-made parts for the rest. For example, buy a ready-made robotic arm and write path planning and controls software to operate it. Or build your own CNC router/pick-and-place/3D printer/pen plotter but use off the shelf/open-source electronics and firmware.
Once that's done, pick another specialty and move on to that if it interests you.
Can you recommend the names of any off-the-shelf robotic arms or tools that can be modified or hacked?
Any good standard starting points for controller software?
Buy an Arduino Mega or something. That way you'll have way more pins that you'll need, and shouldn't hit up against the memory limits. Arduinos have a huge community, and the free IDE has all libraries and everything you need. I bought one and an MP3 shield from AdaFruit last year and successfully made a GNK droid. complete with flashing lights and multiple modes of tranquil gonks.
(Disclaimer: I haven't bought any of them, so can't say anything about the quality.)
UFactory Lite $3900 https://www.ufactory.cc/product-page/ufactory-lite-6-kit
Dorna 2 $4200 https://dorna.ai/product/dorna-2/
ReBeL cobot €5000 https://www.igus.si/product/20962?artNr=REBEL-6DOF-01
Interbotix https://www.trossenrobotics.com/robotic-arms/ros-research-ar...
DOBOT $2700 https://www.trossenrobotics.com/dobot-mg400-industrial-deskt...
Wlkata Mirobot $2000 https://www.wlkata.com/products/professional-kit-of-wlkata-m...
All joking aside, I've always longed for a complete set of those Gingery books in print format. I have ebooks of most of them, but I'd love to have a bound set. And even more, I'd love to have time (and space) to actually take a stab at building the Gingery metal shop. Seems like it would be real blast (no pun intended).