ROBOTICS • Controller: It is the brain of the robot.
It is
A robot is a machine that can perform tasks
automatically and without human intervention.
Robots are typically programmed to follow a set of
instructions, but they can also be equipped with
sensors that allow them to respond to their
environment. Robots are used in a wide variety of
applications, including manufacturing, healthcare,
space exploration, and entertainment.
The word "robot" was first used in 1920 by the Czech
playwright Karel Čapek in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's
Universal Robots). In the play, robots are artificial
workers that are created to replace humans in
factories. The word "robot" is derived from the Czech
word "robota," which means "forced labor."
Today, robots are no longer just the stuff of science
fiction. They are a part of our everyday lives. Robots
are used to weld cars, perform surgery, and even
deliver pizzas. As robotics technology continues to
develop, we can expect to see robots playing an
even greater role in our lives.
Components
• Power Supply: It provides the robot with the
electrical energy it needs to operate. This can be
done in a variety of ways, such as with batteries,
AC or DC power, or solar panels.
• Actuators: It converts the robot's electrical
energy into movement. They can be in the form
of motors, servos, or pneumatic or hydraulic
systems.
o Electric Motors: The most common type of
actuator. They convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy, which can be used to
rotate a shaft or move a linear actuator.
o Piezo and Ultrasonic Motors: Piezo and
ultrasonic motors are specialized types of
motors that use vibrations to generate
movement. They are often used in robotics
for their high precision and quiet operation.
• Muscle Wires: These are thin wires that contract
when they are heated with electricity. They are
often used in robotics for their lightweight and
flexible properties.
• Sensors: It allows the robot to gather
information about its surroundings. This
information can be used to control the robot's
movements, make decisions, and avoid
obstacles. There are many different types of
sensors, such as cameras, lasers, touch
sensors, and accelerometers.
responsible for processing sensor data, making
decisions, and sending commands to the
actuators. The controller can be a simple
microcontroller or a complex computer system,
depending on the complexity of the robot.
Applications
o Industrial robots are primarily used in
manufacturing, where they perform repetitive
tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly.
They are able to work with high precision and
accuracy, and they can operate in hazardous
environments that would be dangerous for
humans.
Example industries: automotive, aerospace,
electronics, and food
They have helped to improve productivity and
quality control in these industries.
o Household robots are designed to help with
tasks around the house, such as vacuuming,
cleaning, and cooking. They are becoming
increasingly popular as they can save time and
effort for busy homeowners.
Example: vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, and
robotic chefs.
o Medical robots are used in a variety of surgical
procedures, where they can provide greater
precision and accuracy than human hands. They
are also used for rehabilitation therapy and to
assist people with disabilities.
Example: surgical robots, rehabilitation robots,
and exoskeletons
These robots are helping to improve patient
outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.
o Service robots are used in a variety of settings,
such as restaurants, hotels, and hospitals, to
provide services to customers or patients. They
can be used for tasks such as greeting guests,
taking orders, and delivering food or supplies.
Example: waiters, bartenders, and concierge
robots.
These robots are helping to improve customer
service and reduce costs.
o Military robots are used for a variety of tasks,
such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and bomb
disposal. They are also used for combat, where
they can reduce the risk of casualties to human
soldiers.
 Example: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and robots
that can defuse bombs.
These robots are helping to improve the
effectiveness of military operations and reduce
the risk of human casualties.
o Entertainment robots are used to provide
entertainment to people. They can be used for
tasks such as playing games, dancing, and
telling jokes.
Example: companion robots, humanoid robots,
and robots that can perform tricks.
These robots are becoming increasingly popular
as they can provide companionship and
entertainment to people of all ages.
o Space robots are used to explore space and to
conduct scientific research. They can be used to
collect data about planets, moons, and
asteroids. They can also be used to repair
satellites and build space stations.
Example: rovers, landers, and robotic arms.
These robots are helping to expand our
knowledge of the universe and to develop new
technologies.
o Hobby and Competition
Hobby robots are built by enthusiasts for fun
and learning. They can be used for a variety of
tasks, such as racing, solving puzzles, and
exploring environments.
Competition robots are built by teams of
students and professionals to compete in
robotics competitions. These competitions help
to develop new technologies and to promote the
field of robotics.
Objectives
The general objectives of robots can be broadly
categorized into three main areas:
1. Automation and Efficiency: Robots are
primarily designed to automate tasks that are
repetitive, dangerous, or difficult for humans to
perform. By automating these tasks, robots can
improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase
safety.
For instance, robots are widely used in
manufacturing to perform areas such as welding,
painting, and assembly. Their ability to work
tirelessly and with high precision has
revolutionized manufacturing processes.
2. Augmentation of Human Performance:
Robots can complement and augment human
capabilities, allowing humans to work more
effectively and efficiently.
This can be achieved through various means,
such as:
o Assistance with Tasks: Robots can assist
humans with tasks, such as carrying heavy
objects, performing complex calculations, or
providing information. This can reduce the
physical strain on humans and improve their
productivity.
o Providing Additional Information: Robots
can gather data and provide real-time
information to humans, allowing them to
make better decisions and optimize their
performance. For example, robots can
monitor manufacturing processes and
provide feedback to operators, helping them
identify potential problems and maintain
quality control.
o Handling Dangerous or Delicate Tasks:
Robots can safely handle tasks that are
dangerous or delicate for humans, such as
working in hazardous environments,
operating with precise tools, or interacting
with sensitive materials.
3. Exploration and Extension of Human
Capabilities: Robots can explore environments
that are inaccessible or dangerous for humans,
such as deep oceans, remote locations, or
hazardous environments. They can also extend
human capabilities beyond our physical
limitations, such as operating at extreme
temperatures, performing delicate tasks, or
enduring harsh conditions.
Different Purposes of a Robot
Robots are becoming increasingly versatile and are
being used for a variety of purposes. Here are some
of its different purposes:
▪ Dirty Tasks: Robots are often used to clean up
dirty or hazardous environments.
For example, robots are used to clean up nuclear
waste sites, oil spills, and other contaminated
areas. Robots are also used to clean up sewers,
factories, and other industrial spaces.
▪ Repetitive Tasks: Robots are often used to
perform repetitive tasks.
 For example, robots are used to assemble cars,
weld metal, and package products. Robots are
also used to perform repetitive tasks in the
medical field, such as performing surgery and
dispensing medications.
▪ Dangerous Tasks: Robots are often used to
perform dangerous tasks.
For example, robots are used to dispose of
bombs, fight fires, and explore hazardous
environments. Robots are also used to perform
dangerous tasks in the military, such as
disarming land mines and clearing battlefields.
▪ Impossible Tasks: Robots are often used to
perform tasks that are impossible for humans.
For example, robots are used to explore space,
study the deep ocean, and perform surgery on
delicate organs. Robots are also used to perform
impossible tasks in the manufacturing industry,
such as welding together tiny components and
assembling complex machines.
▪ Assisting Tasks: Robots are often used to
assist humans with tasks.
For example, robots are used to assist people
with disabilities, provide companionship to the
elderly, and perform tasks in the home, such as
vacuuming and mowing the lawn. Robots are
also used to assist humans in the workplace,
such as providing customer service and
performing data entry.
As robots continue to develop, they will be used for
an even wider range of purposes. Robots have the
potential to make our lives easier, safer, and more
productive.
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with
physical robots. Robots are programmable
machines that are usually able to carry out a series
of actions autonomously, or semi-autonomously.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer
science. It involves developing computer programs
to complete tasks that would otherwise require
human intelligence. AI algorithms can tackle
learning, perception, problem-solving, language-
understanding and/or logical reasoning.
Artificially intelligent robots are the bridge between robotics
and AI. These are robots that are controlled by AI programs.
The combination of robotics and AI has the potential
to revolutionize many industries and aspects of our
lives. For example, robots powered by AI could be
used to perform complex surgical procedures,
provide personalized education, and care for the
elderly.
Here are some of the specific ways that AI is being
used to advance robotics:
▪ Computer vision: AI is being used to give robots
the ability to see and understand the world
around them. This is allowing robots to perform
tasks that were previously impossible, such as
picking up objects from cluttered environments
and navigating through complex terrain.
▪ Natural language processing (NLP): AI is
being used to give robots the ability to
understand and respond to human language.
This is allowing robots to interact with humans
more naturally and to provide more personalized
services.
▪ Machine learning: AI is being used to give
robots the ability to learn from data and improve
their performance over time. This is allowing
robots to adapt to new situations and to perform
tasks more efficiently.
The combination of robotics and AI is still in its early
stages, but it has the potential to have a profound
impact on our world. As these technologies continue
to develop, we can expect to see robots that are
even more intelligent, autonomous, and capable of
performing tasks that were previously impossible.
Potential benefits of combining robotics and AI:
• Increased productivity
• Improved safety
• Reduced costs
• Enhanced quality
• New products and services
It has the potential to make our lives easier, safer,
and more productive.
Robot Locomotion
Robot locomotion is the collective name for the
various methods that robots use to transport
themselves from place to place.
There are many different types of robot locomotion,
each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
• Wheeled locomotion: This is the most
common type of robot locomotion. Wheeled
robots are simple to design and control, and
they are very efficient on smooth surfaces.
However, wheeled robots can have difficulty
navigating over obstacles or in rough terrain.
The type of robot locomotion that is used depends
on the specific application of the robot. For example,
a robot that is used to clean floors will typically use
wheeled locomotion, while a robot that is used to
explore space will typically use flying locomotion.
Robot locomotion is a rapidly evolving field, and new
types of locomotion are being developed all the time.
For example, researchers are developing robots that
can walk on walls and robots that can swim
underwater. These new types of locomotion have
the potential to revolutionize the way that robots are
used.

Robot locomotion is an important field of study

• Legged locomotion: They are more
versatile than wheeled robots, and they can
navigate over obstacles and in rough
terrain. However, legged robots are more
complex to design and control than wheeled
robots.
because it enables robots to move around and
interact with the world around them. Robots that can
move are more versatile and capable than robots
that cannot, and they have a wider range of
applications. As robot locomotion continues to
develop, we can expect to see even more innovative
and transformative applications of robots.

• Tracked locomotion: They are similar to

wheeled robots, but they have tracks
instead of wheels. Tracks provide better
traction than wheels, and they can help
robots navigate over rough terrain.
However, tracked robots can be more
difficult to maneuver than wheeled robots.

• Flying locomotion: They are the most

versatile type of robot locomotion. They can
move in any direction, and they are not
limited by terrain. However, flying robots are
more complex to design and control than
wheeled, legged, or tracked robots.