Questions for a Robotic Engineer

[Scott_Lemon]

I am looking for some information about becoming a robotic engineer, but all the people I have contacted have been too busy or not replied. This includes other forums. So could some people answer the questions below. It does not matter if all of them are not answer but in the end I am hoping to have them all answered.

Questions

1. What is your name? (Real please just so that others do not think I made up the results to these questions)

1. What is your current position involving robots? e.g. Head of a robotics team. (This is so I know who the information is coming from)

2. How long have you been working with robots?

3. What does the job currently involve?

4. Do you enjoy working in your current position with robots? Why/Why not?

5. Since you have been working with robots how has the job changed? e.g. More technologically advanced.

6. What did the job use to involve (before it changed)?

7. What education is required to end up working with robots?

8. What courses of study would need to be taken to end up working with robots?

9. Are there any specific skills needed to work with robots? If there are then what are they?

10. What career prospects are available for a robotic engineer?

11. Where globally would career opportunities as a robotic engineer be found? ie Are some countries more focused on robotic engineering than others?

12. What would be the average annual income of a person involved with robots?

A very large thanks to anyone who answers any of these questions.
Scott Lemon

[Lord Flasheart]

I'm no expert on this subject, but I believe that the Nipponese are the best robot designers. Perhaps you should take a trip to Tokyo?

[rcg]

I am nowhere close to being an engineer, but I am just starting an undergrad program known as "Mechatronics Engineering" at the University of Waterloo, Canada. It's a blend of Mechanical, Computer, Systems and Electrical programs...pretty much "Robotics Engineering". As well, I recall Carnegie Mellon U in the States having a Robotics Ph.D program...perhaps one of these would provide a direction for you to follow...

[jihyel]

7. What education is required to end up working with robots?

robotics is about 30% electronic engineering, 30% mechanical engineering, 30% computer science/engineering, and 10% various disciplines including language technology, designing, and others.

11. Where globally would career opportunities as a robotic engineer be found? ie Are some countries more focused on robotic engineering than others?

Japan, U.S., and Germany

12. What would be the average annual income of a person involved with robots?

average: 100k
starting income is usually around 70k
if you become an expert in the field, you can easily get 120k

[jihyel]

btw I'm studying robotics at Carnegie Mellon university.