A typical architecture
Sensor›Perception›Decision & Planning›Control›Robot
ROBOTICS LEARNING GUIDE
Play. Understand. Build toward real robots.
Starting from the Games and Lessons of Robot System Quest, this guide builds a step-by-step understanding of ROS 2 communication, control, perception, and navigation.
This is a conceptual browser simulation of ROS 2 data flow; it does not run ROS 2 or DDS itself.
Watch all 24 lessons
01
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
About Robot Systems
A robot system is made of many parts — mechanism, power, communication, safety, and learning. To understand how it works, this course looks at it from several viewpoints: perception, decision and planning, and control. These are not a fixed order; they interact with each other and respond to a changing real world.
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE / EXAMPLES
Robot systems come in many forms
A robot system is built by combining modules split by function. Recently, setups that use learning models such as VLA for one or more of those roles have become more common.
An architecture using VLA
Image · Language · Robot State›VLA Policy›Robot Action
The two are not exclusive categories; some setups embed a VLA as part of a modular system. Even when a VLA is used, low-level control and safety mechanisms are still needed. A World Model may be used alongside it depending on the setup, but it is not a required part of a VLA.
PERCEPTION
Perceive the surroundings and itself
From sensors such as cameras and LiDAR, it estimates the environment and the robot's own state.
Image · Range · Self-position
DECISION & PLANNING
Plan and decide toward a goal
Based on the current situation and goal, it decides actions, paths, and how to carry out the task.
Goal · Path · Task
CONTROL
Achieve the intended motion: control adaptively
It compares the target with the current value and adjusts commands so wheels and joints move stably.
Velocity · Joint · Feedback
PHYSICAL ROBOT / REAL WORLD
Diverse functions and hardware work together, continuously responding to a changing real world
01
COMMUNICATION
Connect the communication
You assemble the basic structure of ROS 2, where nodes exchange data and requests.
What you'll be able to do
Understand the basics of Topic, Service, and Action and when to use each
Pub/SubServiceAction
02
CONTROL
Control the motion
From target and current values you build commands to move the robot stably.
What you'll be able to do
Understand the basics and roles of Feedforward, Feedback, and Parameter
FeedforwardFeedbackParameter
03
PERCEPTION
See the world around it
You process LiDAR and camera data into information the robot can use.
What you'll be able to do
Understand the basics of LiDAR, image processing, and object detection
LiDARImageObject Detection
04
LOCALIZATION & MAP
Understand position and maps
You learn coordinate transforms, mapping, and probabilistic self-localization as one flow.
What you'll be able to do
Understand the basics and roles of TF, SLAM, and AMCL
TFSLAMAMCL
05
AUTONOMY & NAVIGATION
Move by thinking for itself
From a goal it builds a path and understands how to drive to the destination while avoiding obstacles.
What you'll be able to do
Understand the basics of Nav2, Path, and Behavior Tree
Nav2PathBehavior Tree
06
MANIPULATION
Work with an arm
You connect joint angles, end-effector position, and grasping to complete picking up and carrying objects.
What you'll be able to do
Understand the basics and flow of JointState, IK, and Pick & Place
JointStateIKPick & Place
0Playable stages
ROS 2Learning that connects fields
1Connected robot system
SIMULATION → ROS 2 CONCEPT → REAL ROBOT
02
HOW TO LEARN
Learn in three steps
Connect the intuition from the simulation to ROS 2 concepts and hands-on practice with a real robot.
Experience with Games
First move the robot and feel how sensors and communication work during the game.
See Games →Understand with Lessons
Operate Topic, Service, TF, control, and more to break down how the system works.
See Lessons →Practice on a real robot
Take the same ROS 2 concepts and confirm them on an actual robot system.
03
GAMES / EXPERIENCE
Notice it by moving
While clearing missions, you get a feel for how ROS 2 moves a robot.
01Operate the robotMove · Track · Explore · Battle
→
02Observe the on-screen changesSensor · Topic · State
→
03Notice how ROS 2 worksFrom experience to concept
04
LESSONS / UNDERSTAND
Assemble the mechanism
From the basics to control, perception, and navigation, deepen your understanding step by step.
01Assemble the mechanismNode · Topic · Message
→
02Operate and tune valuesParameter · Goal · Control
→
03Explain why it movesFrom concept to system