Russ Tedrake · MIT · Course chapter

Basic Pick and Place

An interactive chapter connecting spatial transforms, kinematics and trajectories to a manipulation example.

Source text reviewed October 27, 2026. Study notes and exercises are written by botstest.

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Where to start

Work through transforms and kinematics before grasp poses and the trajectory example.

Use it in your project

Reproduce a small simulated transfer and explain each frame and approach pose.

Scope and limitations

The introductory example starts with simplifying knowledge about the scene. Perception and physical validation require additional work.

Follow a related roadmap

Build a first tabletop robot-arm project · Beginner →

Read: Work through transforms and kinematics before grasp poses and the trajectory example.

Use the worked example to connect frames, approach poses and a complete transfer rather than isolated arm movements.

Produce: Draw base, object, tool and target frames and plan the approach, grasp and retreat.

Run a reproducible manipulation experiment · Beginner →

Read: Work through transforms and kinematics before grasp poses and the trajectory example.

Use the worked example to connect frames, approach poses and a complete transfer rather than isolated arm movements.

Produce: State what the baseline assumes about object pose and make the reset procedure repeatable.

Integrate robot-arm motion planning · Beginner →

Read: Work through transforms and kinematics before grasp poses and the trajectory example.

Use the worked example to connect frames, approach poses and a complete transfer rather than isolated arm movements.

Produce: Inspect the kinematic and frame assumptions behind a simple transfer trajectory.

Explore home-like manipulation in simulation · Intermediate →

Read: Work through transforms and kinematics before grasp poses and the trajectory example.

Use the worked example to connect frames, approach poses and a complete transfer rather than isolated arm movements.

Produce: Reproduce a bounded transfer in simulation, then vary an object or start state without hiding unsuccessful attempts.