top of page

Robotics, Sydney, and Beyond: My UTS Study Abroad Story

Writer's picture: UTS Study Abroad and ExchangeUTS Study Abroad and Exchange

Updated: Aug 12, 2024

Arthur Baron von Wilcke

Spring 2023 exchange student from TH Wildau – Technische Hochschule

Wildau, Germany


My name is Arthur and I’m a 20-Year-old student from Germany when I began my study abroad adventure in Sydney, I was all set to share the typical travel stories from study abroad business students - stunning sights, travels with friends, and meeting new people from all over the world. But as fate would have it, my academic journey into mechatronics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) took me on an entirely different route where I actually spent most of my time in the Labs in university working on projects and Assignments. 


This blog isn't about iconic Sydney landmarks, cuddly wildlife, or sunny beaches (though they were truly awesome). Instead, I want to take you on a ride where I share some insights about studying robotics at UTS. With its impressive collection of robots, it has become the hub of my study abroad adventure, offering students the opportunity to work with cutting-edge machines while diving headfirst into the world of mechatronics with MATLAB, ROS or Python.


So, set your backpack aside for a moment, and join me on a journey to discover why UTS's mechatronics program is for robotics enthusiasts and budding engineers.

During my time in Sydney, I did a full-time study load, which meant enrolling in four courses. Back in Germany, I was studying mechanical engineering, and I already had some experience with robots and mechatronic systems. What's interesting is that the most engaging courses I took were also the most challenging ones in the entire degree according to the domestic students: "Industrial Robotics (41013)" and "Design in Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems (43019)".

In the "Industrial Robotics" course, we learned the nitty-gritty of controlling robots using things like DH parameters and q values for each joint. The subject matter was complex, but it piqued my interest, and I loved gaining a deeper understanding of how to control robots more effectively.



On the flip side, "Design in Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems" (DMMS) took a different approach. It was a project-based course, and I absolutely loved it. At the beginning of the semester, we got to choose one project out of 24 options, and that project became our main focus for the entire term. Each project had a budget, and we were challenged to come up with innovative solutions over the course of the semester. I was lucky to work on a project involving a cobot (collaborative robot) designed to sort beer bottles. Our task was to create an end effector, a device at the robot's end, that could efficiently pick up bottles and sort them by brand. The open-ended nature of the project allowed us to explore different solutions and work on improving the system throughout the semester.



These courses not only expanded my understanding of robotics and mechatronics but also made my study abroad experience in Sydney more interesting. They reinforced the value of taking on challenging engineering subjects and embracing hands-on, project-based learning, which not only fosters personal growth but also deepens one's appreciation for the complexities of engineering.


As my time at UTS wraps up, I wholeheartedly recommend this university to anyone interested in robotics and mechatronics or just in general engineering.

Before I leave in 3 months, I'm excited about exploring more of Australia, and I've even joined the UTS Rover team, working on building a Mars rover during the break. UTS has given me incredible opportunities, and I encourage others to consider this university for their own study abroad adventure. It's a world of engineering excellence waiting to be explored.




122 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


About This Blog

This blog shares the stories of study abroad and exchange students who come to the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to study for one or two teaching sessions including first impressions, travel tips and insights into life at UTS and life in Sydney and Australia.

Disclaimer: All blog posts are written by students and do not necessarily reflect the views of UTS staff.

Visit our program website for more information on how you, too, could join these student adventures at UTS. We would love to welcome you!

UTS Study Abroad and Exchange

About UTS Study Abroad and Exchange

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) provides students from overseas with the opportunity to study for one or two sessions in one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Sydney, Australia.

This blog is for students to share experiences, tips and tricks and wisdom! For more information about UTS Study Abroad and Exchange, visit our program website or contact us at studyabroad.exchange@uts.edu.au.

The views expressed on this blog are those of the respective authors and not those of the University of Technology Sydney.

 

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

UTS CRICOS: 00099F
UTS TEQSA: PRV12060

© 2023 by Going Places. Proudly created with Wix.com

UTS_Logo_Horizontal_Lockup_RGB_REV.png
bottom of page