Automation and Autonomy of Mobile Robots using ROS

The Automation and Autonomy of Mobile Robots Program is offered jointly by the University of Houston and the 葫芦影业 Clear Lake. Successful candidates will receive digital badges from UH Energy.
Overview
Duration
March - May, 2026
6 weeks
Format
Weekly In-Person
Price
No Cost for Qualified & Admitted Applicants
Deadline
Apply/Enroll by February 28, 2026
Why this Credential?
Robotic systems are extensively used across multiple industries today, from manufacturing, to energy, to space exploration. Being familiar with the electrical and programming fundamentals of robotics, as well as some of the tools commonly used by industry and academia, can provide a considerable edge for students looking to pursue careers or research in many fields.
This course will first cover some of the electrical and embedded system basics. Afterward, the basics of the Robotics Operating System, widely used for robotics applications, will be covered. Using ROS, the student will learn about and apply SLAM, an almost ubiquitous robotic navigation technique. Finally, the students will put together a mobile robot kit and program it to take part in a competition.
Who Should Enroll?
The following groups are eligible for this program:
- Undergrad students looking to get into robotics or expand their knowledge
- Grad students that want to refresh knowledge and gain more experience with SLAM and ROS
- Recent graduates that want to strengthen their job prospects
Schedule
Subject to Change
- Lecture 1: Electrical Foundations Review (Dr. Unwala)
- Sensors and Actutators
- Embedded Systems
- Post-Lecture Speaker: Joshua Sooknanan (NASA)
- Lecture 2: Robotics Software (Dr. Nguyen)
- Linux Architecture
- Intro to ROS
- Post-Lecture Speaker: Carol Fairchild (UHCL) and Kimberly Hayes (Valkim Technologies)
- Lecture 3: SLAM and Navigation (Dr. Nguyen)
- Sensor Fusion
- Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), and Navigation
- Post-Lecture Speaker: Hasan Danaci (Schlumberger)
- Lab: Robot Car (Dr. Nguyen and Miguel Pagan)
- Car Kit Assembly
- Car Programming and Competition
- Post-Lecture Speaker: Chirag Dhoka Jain (Northeastern University)
Each class session begins at 9am and ends at 1pm at the 葫芦影业 Clear Lake campus in the Delta Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058.
What You Will Earn
A digital badge is awarded from UH Energy. The digital micro-credentialing badge provide a permanent record, endorsed by UH Energy and the 葫芦影业, that can be made a part of your resume to credential your new skills.
Instructors
Dr. Luong Nguyen
Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, 葫芦影业 Clear Lake
Dr. Ishaq Unwala
Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, 葫芦影业 Clear Lake
Miguel Pagan
Lecturer of Computer Engineering, 葫芦影业 Clear Lake
Guest Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Dr. James Dabney
Program Director of Systems Engineering, Professor, College of Science and Engineering
UCHL
Post-Lecture Speakers
Joshua Sooknanan
NASA/JSC
Kimberly Hayes
Co-Founder, Valkim Technologies
Carol Fairchild
UHCL
Hasan Danaci
Schlumberger
Chirag Dhoka Jain
Northeastern University
How to Enroll
1. Please complete the application form and send it to uhenergy@uh.edu.
2. After receiving the confirmation emails, please ensure that you have access to
the Learning Management System (Canvas). UH Energy will also email you the detailed
schedule.