RTL-220 · Real-Time Systems
Robotics & ROS 2 Middleware
Robot software that runs on real hardware: ROS 2 nodes, QoS, real-time executors, and the bridge down to embedded control.
Who this course is for
Robotics and automation engineers moving from prototypes to deployed robot software, and embedded engineers integrating a robot stack with real control hardware.
Prerequisites
The detailed curriculum behind this course. The library holds the lesson-level curriculum for this ground — every lesson named, in order. Take it as the syllabus map, or work through it yourself with the all-access library.
- Autonomous-Driving Middleware: ROS 2 & Cyber RT 30 lessons · Intermediate
Course outline
Day 1 — ROS 2 architecture and communication
- Nodes, topics, services, actions and the DDS layer underneath
- Quality of Service: reliability, durability, deadline, and what each costs
- Launch files, parameters and composing a system
- Reading the graph: ros2 topic, node info, and diagnosing a silent topic
Day 2 — Real-time behaviour and control
- Executors, callback groups and why default ROS 2 is not real-time
- The real-time executor, memory allocation and priority assignment
- Transforms (tf2) and sensor fusion fundamentals
- ros2_control and the hardware interface layer
Day 3 — Bridging to hardware, testing and deployment
- Bridging to embedded: micro-ROS, CAN and EtherCAT
- Simulation and testing: Gazebo, rosbag2 and integration tests
- Deployment: containers, startup ordering and watchdogs
- Diagnosing a robot that stutters: jitter, drops and where to look first
What you build
Not exercises with a known answer. Each project is built, measured and defended by you, on hardware and a kernel version you actually run — so the result is something you can take back to your team.
The real-time control path
Move a control loop out of default ROS 2 callbacks into a real-time executor, measure the jitter before and after, and state what the change cost elsewhere.
You leave withbefore/after jitter distributions and a written trade-off account
Microcontroller bridge
Bridge a ROS 2 node to a microcontroller over micro-ROS or CAN, then measure round-trip latency and prove behaviour under bus errors.
You leave withworking bridge code and a latency and error-injection report
The stutter investigation
Take a robot stack that stutters under load, record it with rosbag2, reproduce it offline, and identify whether the cause is QoS, an executor, or the hardware bridge.
You leave witha recorded reproduction, the diagnosis, and the fix with measurements
Hands-on labs
Labs follow the academy model — 35% principles, 20% guided investigation, 45% engineering studio. Every claim you make in a lab is backed by a trace, a counter or a measurement you captured yourself. How we teach
- Lab: build a multi-node system and prove it with the ROS 2 graph tools
- Lab: configure QoS for a control topic and demonstrate the deadline behaviour changing
- Lab: move a callback to a real-time executor and measure the jitter reduction
- Lab: bridge a ROS 2 node to a microcontroller over micro-ROS or CAN
- Lab: record a failing run with rosbag2, reproduce it offline, and fix the defect
Capstone project
Deliver a working robot control stack: ROS 2 nodes for perception and control, a real-time control path with measured jitter, a bridge to embedded hardware, and a recorded run that proves the system behaves when it matters.
What you leave with
- A working mental model of ROS 2 communication and its cost
- QoS and executor choices made deliberately rather than by default
- A bridge from ROS 2 down to real embedded control hardware
- A test and replay workflow that catches regressions before the robot does
How it runs
Every course follows the same model: 35% principles, 20% guided investigation, 45% engineering studio. You leave with working code, raw measurements and an evidence-based report — not a certificate of attendance. Read the methodology or see a full sample lesson.
Material is adapted to your kernel version, hardware and workload before a private delivery. For public cohorts, the environment is provided and configured.
Questions
Who is this course for?
Robotics and automation engineers moving from prototypes to deployed robot software, and embedded engineers integrating a robot stack with real control hardware. It sits at practitioner level within the Real-Time Systems track.
What do I need to know already?
Specific prerequisites for this course: Working C++ and Linux; Basic control or robotics concepts; Comfort with a command line and build systems. We confirm levels before the cohort starts and adapt if a group is stronger or weaker than expected.
Can this run privately for my team?
Yes. Any course runs on-site at your offices anywhere, or live online for a distributed team, with labs adapted to your hardware and codebase.
What is the difference between in-person and online?
In person is 3 full days with hardware on your desk, capped at 14. Online is 6 half-day sessions across about two weeks so you can keep working, capped at 20, with remote lab access.
Do you invoice companies?
Yes. Purchase orders are accepted and invoicing is available in USD, EUR, GBP, SAR and CAD.
Upcoming dates
| Dates | Where | Seats | Early bird | Regular | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Nov – 15 Nov 20266 half-days | Gulf bandLive online · 14:00–18:00 GST | 16 of 20 | — | US$1,750 | |
| 9 Nov – 16 Nov 20266 half-days | Europe bandLive online · 14:00–18:00 CET | 5 of 20 | — | US$1,750 | |
| 16 Nov – 23 Nov 20266 half-days | Americas bandLive online · 13:00–17:00 ET | 10 of 20 | US$1,580until 17 Oct | ||
| 25 Oct – 27 Oct 20263 full days | RiyadhIn person · KAFD Conference Centre | 6 of 14 | — | SAR 9,000 | |
| 25 Oct – 27 Oct 20263 full days | Kuwait CityIn person · Al Hamra Tower | 11 of 14 | — | USD 2,400 | |
| 1 Nov – 3 Nov 20263 full days | MuscatIn person · Knowledge Oasis Muscat | 6 of 14 | — | USD 2,400 | |
| 9 Nov – 11 Nov 20263 full days | OttawaIn person · Kanata North Tech Park | 11 of 14 | — | CAD 3,260 | |
| 9 Nov – 11 Nov 20263 full days | TorontoIn person · MaRS Discovery District | 6 of 14 | — | CAD 3,260 | |
| 16 Nov – 18 Nov 20263 full days | LondonIn person · Shoreditch Works | 11 of 14 | GBP 1,680until 17 Oct | ||
| 23 Nov – 25 Nov 20263 full days | BerlinIn person · Factory Görlitzer Park | 6 of 14 | EUR 1,990until 24 Oct |
Dates shown for the next few months. If nothing fits, tell us where and when — cohorts are added on demand, and private delivery can be scheduled any week.
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