RoboDK, the company known for its powerful and accessible robot programming tools, has launched RoboDK Academy: a free, self-paced online training platform designed to make industrial robot programming skills more accessible than ever.
The platform combines hands-on projects, step-by-step tutorials, and video walkthroughs to teach programming skills through simulation and offline programming, from beginner to advanced levels.
Albert Nubiola, RoboDK’s CEO, says: “Automation and robotics adoption is accelerating to address labor shortages, but there’s a global shortage of skilled robotics talent. With RoboDK Academy, we aim to upskill workers and support this transition.”
Meeting the global need for skilled robot programmers
As automation adoption has increased globally, industries are facing a new challenge: a shortage of skilled robot programmers.
Gone are the days when robot programming skills were only required by large automotive manufacturers and specialist robot integrators.
With robot use spreading to sectors like logistics, healthcare, and small-to-medium Enterprises, a lack of robot programmers is now becoming a bottleneck for many companies. Robot orders in the food and consumer goods industries surged by 65 percent in 2024.
Samuel Bertrand, RoboDK’s general manager, says: “Global demand for robot education is growing. This is partly due to school curriculum initiatives and upskilling programs that support manufacturing and automation, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.”
Despite this growing demand for robot education, there remains a major gap in accessible, industry-relevant training.
Many existing programs are costly, limited to proprietary systems, or require access to expensive hardware. RoboDK Academy addresses this gap by offering free, self-paced training focused on the programming skills in highest demand.
RoboDK Academy: An accessible, free platform for learning industrial robot programming
RoboDK Academy is an online learning platform focused on simulation and offline programming. Aimed at making robotics and automation more accessible for everyone, it is perfect for engineers, automation professionals, students and educators who want to build their robotic knowledge and get the most value from the RoboDK software.
Unlike many traditional training programs, RoboDK Academy doesn’t require access to expensive hardware and resources. The platform and its courses emphasize software-driven, hands-on learning.
Offered entirely for free and compatible with the RoboDK software’s free trial, the Academy lowers the barrier to entry for anyone looking to build practical skills in automation.
Courses range from beginner to advanced, combining video tutorials, step-by-step exercises, and interactive projects. Upon completion of a course, learners receive a certificate, helping them validate their new skills in the job market or within their organizations.
Practical, accessible, software-driven learning
The RoboDK Academy’s design is guided by a clear educational philosophy built on four core values:
- Practical over theoretical – Each course is built around real-world tasks and scenarios that are most in demand, ensuring learners build skills they can apply immediately in professional environments.
- Accessible to all – With free access, no need for physical robots, and multi-language support, RoboDK Academy makes robot programming education available to anyone, anywhere.
- Software-driven learning – Simulation and offline programming form the core of the learning experience. This reduces the need to invest in expensive hardware from the start.
- Cross-industry transferability – The skills taught in RoboDK Academy are not tied to one robot brand or industry. Whatever their industry, the training equips learners for a wide range of use cases.
By focusing on these values, RoboDK Academy aims to create not just a training platform, but a launchpad for the next generation of skilled automation professionals.
Self-paced courses with hands-on simulation using RoboDK software
RoboDK Academy launches with a catalog of foundational courses and plans to grow them further. These are highly practical, hands-on courses designed to make industrial robot programming approachable and practical.
Each course walks learners through realistic applications using the RoboDK software, combining video walkthroughs, simulation files, and step-by-step instructions.
One example is the Pick and Place course, which introduces the key concepts of this core robotic application through progressively advanced modules.
In the Pick and Place course, learners gain competencies in:
- Setting up a basic pick and place station.
- Using object attachment and detachment features.
- Creating and looping pick and place programs.
- Avoiding common simulation mistakes.
- Building subprograms for complex object organization tasks.
The course concludes with a bonus challenge that helps consolidate skills in planning and programming a fully simulated robotic cell.
Like all RoboDK Academy courses, it’s designed to be self-paced, accessible, and grounded in real-world scenarios.
Future Plans
RoboDK Academy is just getting started. The company plans to expand the platform’s course catalog, covering more advanced topics in industrial automation, simulation, and robot integration.
They also have plans to extend language support and partner with institutions worldwide to expand the reach of the platform.
In the long term, RoboDK envisions the Academy as a global hub for robotics learning – where anyone, regardless of background or location, can gain in-demand automation skills and contribute to the future of industry.
As the robotics landscape evolves, the Academy will continue to grow with it, lowering barriers and empowering the next generation of robot professionals.
Founded by Albert Nubiola in January 2015, RoboDK is a spin-off company from the highly prestigious CoRo laboratory at ETS University in Montreal, Canada.
RoboDK software brings powerful robotics simulation and programming capabilities to companies large and small and to coders and non-coders alike. Today, it supports more than 1,200 robots from over 80 manufacturers, including ABB, Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa, Stäubli, and Universal Robots.
Please find more information at robodk.com/academy
