As robotics continues revolutionizing industries and captivating imaginations, YouTube has emerged as the premier destination for following exciting innovations in the field.
Through ever-improving camera quality, charismatic hosts and compelling visual storytelling, top robotics channels make complex technologies relatable while inspiring future generations to tinker.
I‘ve distilled down the 10 best channels covering robotics that offer great value whether you‘re a hobbyist builder or an industry veteran. Read on as I guide you through must-follow stars bringing the promise of robotics closer each day!
Quick Look: Top 10 Robotics YouTube Channels
| Channel | Subscribers | Year Started | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Dynamics | 8 million | 2015 | Advanced Mobility & Control |
| Universal Robots | 95 thousand | 2016 | Collaborative Applications |
| Yaskawa Motoman | 44 thousand | 2020 | Industrial Automation |
| Hanson Robotics | 92 thousand | 2016 | Humanoid Robotics & AI |
| ABB Robotics | 50 thousand | 2015 | Flexible Automation Solutions |
| VEX Robotics | 160 thousand | 2020 | STEM Education |
| The Robotics Channel | 34 thousand | 2017 | Implementation & Policy |
| Rethink Robotics | 49 thousand | 2013 | Deploying Cobots |
| Robotiq | 58 thousand | 2018 | Grippers & Vision Systems |
| Mark Rober | 15 million | 2011 | Creative Engineering |
Get a Front-Row View of the Robotics Revolution with Boston Dynamics
As the leading innovator in advanced mobility systems, Boston Dynamics needs no introduction. Their YouTube channel with over 8 million subscribers offers an insider‘s perspective into the engineering feats behind their biomechanically inspired robots.
Launched in 2015, Boston Dynamics began by posting mesmerizing footage of their bipedal and quadrupedal robots demonstrating sophisticated movement capabilities. These visually stunning videos took the world by storm and brought their bleeding-edge R&D to the forefront of public imagination.
"Boston Dynamics has had perhaps the biggest impact on public perceptions of robotics through their YouTube videos over the past 5 years" – Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, Professor of Media Arts & Sciences at MIT
Today, their ever-growing media catalog provides regular updates on robots like Atlas, Spot and Handle – now commercialized for various inspection applications. Through detailed conference talks and stable release logs, Boston Dynamics offers unprecedented transparency into the control challenges behind developing dynamic legged robots.
See Spot springs nimbly up a staircase carrying packages or watch Handle autonomously pick & stack boxes in a truck. And stay tuned as more behind-the-scenes footage drops!
Get Implementation Tips for Collaborative Robots from Universal Robots
Pioneers like Universal Robots are leading the way in deploying lightweight, flexible collaborative robots that can safely work alongside humans.
Founded in 2005 and launching their YouTube channel in 2016, Universal Robots aims to educate viewers on the immense possibilities for automation opened up by their signature cobot arms.
Through exhaustive demonstration videos filmed across diverse factory floors, Universal showcases smart integration of their intuitive robots for streamlining production processes. From automotive shops to electronic assembly lines and laboratories, their 6-axis arms tackle monotonous tasks with ease!
Step-by-step from unboxing to configuration, Universal‘s video guides help first-time users get set up quickly. You can also learn best practices around optimizing ergonomic layouts and control options from special guests like Forbes manufacturing editor, John Hitch:
"Universal Robots‘ channel helped us quickly deploy cobots to assist workers with dull jobs. Their tutorial videos demonstrating easy programming and precision control gave me confidence that automation is a win-win for workforce productivity and morale"
As COVID forces more companies to retool with cobots, Universal Robots will undoubtedly remain a top destination for robotics wisdom nuggets.
Dive Deep into Industrial Automation with Yaskawa Motoman
Trusted by leading manufacturers globally, Yaskawa Motoman brings over 40 years of experience deploying robust robotic solutions for the industry.
Since launching their YouTube channel in 2020, Yaskawa Motoman offers viewers an inside look at the engineering excellence behind the scenes through engaging factory tours and compelling conference talks.
See Motoman robots in action up close! Their videos capture multi-axis arms adeptly enabling automation across diverse verticals – from painting aerospace components to loading packaging machines or even testing devices hands-free using custom tactile sensors.
Yaskawa‘s researchers also highlight breakthrough concepts that provide a sneak peek into the dynamic future of industrial robotics. The Smart Series for example brings advanced vision, dexterous gripping and gentle force-control to accelerate human-robot collaboration on factory floors.
MOTOMAN robots now number over 150,000 units across the globe. As automation penetration grows worldwide, Yaskawa‘s YouTube channel lets you tap into these industry insights!
Pursue Fascinating Innovations in Humanoids & AI with Hanson Robotics
The lifelike robots coming out of Hanson Robotics fire up curiosity about the possibilities when robotics and artificial intelligence merge.
Founded in 2013 by Dr. David Hanson, Hanson Robotics dreams big – to create evolving AI that lets robots form meaningful relationships with humans. And their family of uncannily human-like robots led by the iconic Sophia captures public imagination!
"I‘ve learned so much about expressive conversations just by watching Hanson Robotics‘ robots on YouTube. The team does an amazing job eliciting warmth and humor through small subtle gestures" says Professor Hripsy Bavedikutty, Director of the CARES Lab at Delhi Technological University.
Through documentary shorts that take you inside their Hong Kong R&D labs, Hanson‘s videos detail the specialized engineering that goes into designing natural movements, micro-expressions and contextual speech systems to emotionally engage viewers.
If you find yourself fascinated with the big questions around social implications as humanoids get smarter moving forward, Hanson Robotics‘ YouTube channel delivers through bonus talks and lively panels at key AI summits across the globe.
Learn to Easily Automate Processes with ABB Robotics
As automation becomes a competitive necessity across verticals, ABB Robotics taps decades of experience getting factories connected to streamline operations using flexible robots.
Since 2015, their wide-ranging YouTube channel aims to make automation broadly accessible – whether you‘re an industry engineer or student eager to skill up.
Their extensive video catalog neatly covers the basics around robotics for first-timers while diving deeper into product/software updates, customer applications and advanced functionality tutorials for current users – making ABB Robots easy to integrate at any scale!
See ABB‘s robots in action as they collaboratively assemble electronic devices with impressive precision or enjoy their fun videos playing games involving solving Rubik‘s cubes faster than humans! Viewers also get a peek into ABB‘s extensive online education portal with courses tailored across industries and roles.
"I knew little about automation but through ABB‘s videos, I quickly grasped key concepts on positioning robots optimally in our workspace and maximizing cycle times for production throughput" says Matteo Rossi, co-founder of a small-batch gelato startup in Modena, Italy.
So if you think robotics is complex, ABB makes understanding automation intuitive and more welcoming. Explore the possibilities on their channel!
Inspire Young Minds through the VEX Robotics Competitions
Beyond industries, platforms like VEX Robotics play a powerful role in fosteringSTEM skills including creative problem-solving.
Used by thousands of schools globally, VEX‘s modular aluminum construction system simplifies teaching engineering concepts hands-on through their intuitive yet feature-rich VEXcode software. Students ramp up quickly from basic mechanisms to programming advanced automated sequences.
And since launching their channel in 2020, VEX has built an inspiring community around their worldwide competitive events which enable passionate young builders to put their talents on full display!
Their YouTube video playlist compiles detailed walkthroughs and training videos to help rookie teams quickly skill up. You‘ll also enjoy highlights from the global VEX Robotics tournament circuit – with ingenious bots battling through challenging courses or solving complex tasks cooperatively.
"Seeing students apply engineering concepts inventively at tournaments continues motivating me as an educator" remarks Amy Morin, robotics coach from Oakville, Ontario.
VEX Robotics removes barriers for future innovators to gain confidence in creating technological solutions collaborative while thinking critically.
Leverage Insights on Successful Automation Deployment from The Robotics Channel
For business managers overwhelmed navigating implementation considerations as production lines turn increasingly automated, The Robotics Channel offers practical, no-nonsense perspectives.
Run by roboticist Werner Hample who optimizes robotized workcells for manufacturers seeking to modernize operations, this YouTube Channel aims to cut through the hyperbole and terminology overload.
Werner helps viewers evaluate whether automation makes economical sense for their workflows through candid cost-benefit analysis and payback period comparisons across various applications.
Hample also sheds light on larger retraining policy and maintenance considerations often underemphasized whenSmall and medium manufacturers rush robot adoption.
"Werner‘s balanced coverage through The Robotics Channel helped me better assess viability for automating production of metal shrouds. His advice assisted me in building a stronger business case." recalls Troy Reynoldson, owner of Sterling Fabrication based out of British Columbia, Canada.
For candid insights into navigating common automation pitfalls beyond the tech, The Robotics Channel delivers immense practical value.
Skill Up to Deploy Collaborative Robots with Rethink Robotics
Long before small & mid-sized factories could dream of on-site robotics engineers, Rethink Robotics made automation friendly and intuitive for all with their responsive Baxter cobot.
By open-sourcing robotics understanding beyond just technical specialists since 2013, their YouTube channel empowers problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds to upskill for tomorrow‘s technology jobs.
Rethink‘s videos detail the fundamentals around setting up perception systems, programming robot arms safely via lead-through and optimizing gripper designs for specific applications like machine tending. Engineers from Rethink also regularly demonstrate the incredible capabilities of their nimble Sawyer robot!
"I was amazed seeing Rethink‘s Toronto team effortlessly deploy Sawyer for intricate jobs like sorting variety packs. Their YouTube tutorials guided me in configuring force-control to automate delicate tasks in our lab safely." recalls Dr. Emma Alonso, director of the AI Manufacturing Institute at McMaster University.
By exposing a wider community to robotics, Rethink Robotics‘ YouTube channel continues building an inclusive workforce equipped to create an abundant future enabled by technology.
Explore Innovations in Grippers & Vision Systems with Robotiq
As cobots spread across factory floors, easy-to-integrate grippers, sensors and software by companies like Robotiq lower adoption barriers further.
Specializing in responsive 3-finger adaptive grippers, Robotiq‘s YouTube channel helps developers make the most of their featured products – whether that‘s their IP-rated Industrial Automation Gripper handling machine parts of varying geometries or the Wrist Camera providing real-time feedback for accurate picking.
Launched in 2018, Robotiq‘s video library is rich with useful tutorials like resolving communication issues when controlling grippers via ROS messages or best practices for utilizing gripper force control to handle delicate items without damage during packaging/palletizing applications.
You‘ll also get a window into their product design philosophy as Robotiq engineers walk through considerations that guide decisions around optimal fingertip materials, contact pad geometry and sensing instrumentation for reliable grasping.
"Robotiq‘s videos helped me refine gripper positions, approach vectors and force thresholds when programming pick-and-place tasks requiring millimeter precision despite variation across products" explains Sudhanshu Pandey, an Applications Engineer at CiRT, a Delhi-based AI startup.
For those looking to equip industrial robots with advanced capabilities, Robotiq shares their deep expertise freely – making integration intuitive.
Reignite Your Engineering Creativity with Mark Rober‘s Wild Contraptions!
Rounding off the list on a more playful note, former NASA engineer Mark Rober represents unbridled creativity made possible when technical skills power passion projects!
Through ambitious builds like the package-glitter-bomb trap to deter porch pirates or his perfect dartboard that self-adjusts to hit bullseyes, Rober‘s ingenious designs spark wonder using robotics principles formulated just for fun with no commercialization goals.
Rober‘s behind-the-scenes design diaries as he meticulously develops mechanical components to improve functionality or his priceless reaction videos capturing epic wins (and occasional explosions) make the months of tinkering immediately worthwhile.
By mixing science, whimsy and play seamlessly through his wacky robots, Mark Rober shows that nurturing your inner child-like curiosity spaces apart from standardized curriculums keeps your problem-solving instincts sharp!
The technical fluidity and effortless explanations displayed on-screen also remind us that mastering advanced engineering concepts need not be restricted within academic or commercial environments alone.
Start Your Robotics Journey Today!
Through their videos making complex robot builds and programming concepts more intuitive, these 10 channels have unlocked robotics for creators from all backgrounds.
Beyond the headlines flashy headlines, experiencing the thought and care engineering teams pour into these incredible machines as they describe personal struggles and wins makes the field relatable on a human level.
So if you have wondered how to get started tinkering with robots, let the friendly folks featured across these channels infuse the confidence as they guide you each step of the process!
Whether you aim to pick up a fun new skill or explore a future robotics career, these YouTube stars sharing insights openly foster an inclusive community that empowers the next generation.
The future shaped by the passionate builders of tomorrow looks brighter than ever!
