What programming languages do you need for a career in robotics?

If you want to excel in the robotics field, these programming languages can get you there.

Coding skills are a valuable and often crucial skill for professionals in the STEM space, even in the wake of ‘vibe-coding’ and AI advancements. For those who want to work in the area of robotics, an in-depth knowledge of the uses of programming and an education in more than one language can give a professional an edge.

But more often than not, there are far too many to get through before you find the ones that best suit your ambitions. With that in mind, what are some of the programming languages that tend to go hand-in-hand with a career in robotics.

For beginners

We all start somewhere, so whether you are an enthusiast, a beginner or an established professional, you should have a knowledge of a standard or starter language that can help you get to the next phase. Python is one such language. Considered accessible, easy to learn, versatile and with a wealth of online resources available, pretty much anyone who wants to learn this language can, if they put in the time. Education platform Coursera notes that in robotics, Python is particularly useful in scripting robot behaviors, quickly building prototypes and in elements requiring artificial intelligence, such as systems that integrate predictive analytics or use machine learning algorithms.

There is no reason that your chosen programming language, to aid a robotics career, can’t be funky as well as functional. If you want a language a little off the beaten track that offers a more unique learning experience, consider Scratch. It is aimed at younger learners and complete beginners, so if you are only at the start of your educational journey, it can be of real help in developing early and foundational skills. This graphical programming language developed by the MIT Media Lab, offers a simple interface, where students can create digital stories, games and animations, improve their conceptual and computational thinking and develop their problem-solving abilities

High-performance

For the professionals or enthusiasts looking for a coding language that packs some punch, there are a number of programs considered to be high-performers. C++ is in this category. An object-oriented language, C++ is regarded as a strong foundation for robotics engineers and those who work in the hardware ecosystem and can be useful to those interested in competitive robotics or embedded systems. Advantages include strong cross-platform support, high execution efficiency and concise and flexible low-level control.

Another high-performer is the less commonly used Rust. This systems-level language emphasises memory safety and performance, two highly critical aspects of working with robotics software. It has been compared to C++ in CPU-intensive tasks and is an ideal language for those wanting a bit of a challenge in the name of progress and reliability. 

Another high-level language to consider is MATLAB, which is typically used for numerical computation, for example, in work involving linear algebra, data analysis, and algorithm development. MATLAB is commonly used by academics, researchers and developers and can be used to create detailed robotic models. Anyone who wants to learn MATLAB can, but it is primarily suited to academic researchers, control systems engineers and those working in labs or companies using MATLAB for rapid iteration. 

Features

So, what makes up a ‘good robotics language’? In truth, that is like asking, ‘how long is a piece of string’? The answer really depends on your own professional needs and ambitions. That being said, there are a number of features and characteristics that often jump out as being important for a programming language used primarily in the robotics space. 

Performance is one such element that is critical in robotics. Experts tend to use a high volume of data and have to make quick decisions, so high performance is important. Ease of use, especially for those just starting off, is also important, as students and professionals often depend on a simple interface and a large community of peers. The robotics space is ever-evolving so flexibility is a key feature, as is easy access to support and resources when needed. 

Anyone looking to boost their coding skills should make sure to check out local groups and organisations, attend industry events, engage with online learning opportunities and if a more in-depth approach is required, consider in-person courses at relevant third-level institutions. 

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