Kris Hauser · University of Illinois · Course chapter

Anatomy of a Robot

A systems-oriented introduction to robot bodies, joints, actuation, sensing and computation.

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

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Where to start

Read the component overview before the sections relevant to your chosen robot form.

Use it in your project

Make a component diagram showing how the task depends on mechanical, sensing, power and software choices.

Scope and limitations

Draft textbook material; examples illustrate principles and are not current procurement specifications.

Follow a related roadmap

Understand robotics from zero · Beginner →

Read: Read the component overview before the sections relevant to your chosen robot form.

Use the component breakdown to expose mechanical, sensing and power assumptions before choosing software or hardware.

Produce: Label sensing, computation, actuation and power on your own robot map.

Design an actuator and power integration project · Beginner →

Read: Read the component overview before the sections relevant to your chosen robot form.

Use the component breakdown to expose mechanical, sensing and power assumptions before choosing software or hardware.

Produce: Connect the proposed joint duty to actuator, gearing, sensing, power and mechanical requirements.