M4 L7: Robotics Theory

• Lesson 7.1 Robots and Robotics

  Robotics projects provide an opportunity for the students to directly interact with the computer technology. Through robotics projects, students can engage in hands-on learning, where they design, build, and program robots to perform specific tasks or solve challenges. This direct interaction with computer technology fosters practical skills in coding, electronics, and mechanics, enhancing their understanding of how technology works in the real world
• Lesson 7.1 Robots and Robotics

  robotics projects often promote creativity and innovation as students brainstorm unique robot designs and functionalities, encouraging

  them to think outside the box and explore their problem-solving abilities. Such experiential learning experiences can be both fun and rewarding, inspiring a passion for technology and engineering among students and potentially shaping their future career paths in related fields
• Lesson 7.1 Robots and Robotics

  A robot is a mechanical or virtual device designed to perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously, typically by using sensors, actuators, and programming. Robots can be physical machines that interact with the physical world, such as robotic arms in manufacturing, autonomous drones, or humanoid robots used for research and entertainment
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  As the coronavirus emergency exploded into a full-blown pandemic in early 2020, forcing countless businesses to shutter, robot-making companies found themselves in an unusual situation: Many saw a surge in orders. Robots don’t need masks, can be easily disinfected, and, of course, they don’t get sick
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  1. Operator Interface
  2. Mobility or Locomotion
  3. Manipulators and Effectors
  4. Programming
  5. Sensing and Perception
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Operator Interface

  A robot is only as good as its ability to effectively communicate with a human controller. The operator interface – commonly referred to as a Human Robot Interface – is the medium that allows the user and the robot to communicate. Most specifically, it is the method by which a human operator can give pre-programmed commands for the robot to execute
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Operator Interface

  A gaming controller is an example of a basic Human Robot Interface (HRI). It allows a player to issue a set of commands to the system, which are then executed in the game. In manufacturing, an industrial touchscreen computer on a piece of equipment or in a centralized control room is also a form of HRI. The operator can issue commands to the conveyor or other device to execute on the factory floor.
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Operator Interface

  A great deal of care needs to go into the design of HRIs. They must be intuitive to use, and enable operators to communicate effectively with the robot, in order to execute tasks accurately and efficiently
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Mobility or Locomotion

  In robotics, this movement (complete tasks) is called locomotion. Mobility in robotics is achieved in many different ways. For example, some robots mimic human movement. Flying robots and drones make use of propellers and other propulsion systems. Other robots, such as the rovers deployed on Mars and other celestial bodies, require wheels to get around. In short, the environment a robot will be used in often determines how the engineer will design the mobility system
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Manipulators and Effectors

  Robots must be able to interact with its environment. These are the parts of the robot that allow it to pick up objects and move them or manipulate items that are separate from the system. Human-like robots will employ appendages and digits that work like human hands, in order to complete a given task. In industrial settings, manipulators and effectors are perhaps more commonly represented by pincers, claws, or pushers which are all uniquely suited to move heavy pieces of equipment or materials.
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Programming

  Programming refers to the process of writing instructions and code that control the behavior and actions of a robot. Traditionally, any action that a robot was required to perform had to be programmed. These days, advanced programming allows robotic systems to learn and adapt to changes within its environment, which is truly a remarkable feat of engineering
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Programming

  Generally speaking, commands can be provided by the user in real time for the robot to perform, or the robot can be programmed to perform a series of tasks, in sequence, autonomously. Regardless of the method the commands are given, each robot can be programmed using one of more than a thousand different programming languages, so an engineer looking to specialize in this particular field of robotics will have a lot to become proficient in
• Lesson 7.2 Understanding the 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  Sensing and Perception

  Robots use sensors to gather information. This information lets the robot know the physical space it occupies, where it needs to go, and if any obstacles block its path. Sensors also collect information to help the robot decide how to react to objects it encounters. The right sensor must be selected for each robot’s specific application to ensure that the correct decisions are made
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  1. Central Processing Unit
  2. Sensors
  3. Actuators
  4. End-effectors
  5. Power Supply
  6. Program
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  Central Processing Unit

  The central processing unit (CPU) is a key component of any computer-driven technology, including robots. It serves as the "brain" of the robot, responsible for processing information and providing responses toexternal stimuli. The CPU enables the robot to analyze and interpret data, make decisions, and execute various tasks based on the input it receives from its surroundings
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  Sensors

  That brings us to another crucial component of robots: sensors. Sensors serve as the powerhouse of a robot's feedback mechanism, actingas its eyes and ears to gather information about the surrounding environment. Robots are equipped with various types of sensors that enable them to perceive and interact with their surroundings effectively. These sensors provide valuable data on aspects such as distance, temperature, light, sound, motion, and more, allowing the robot to make informed decisions and navigate its environment accurately
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  Actuators

  If sensors serve as the eyes and ears of the robot, then actuators can be likened to its muscles. Actuators are small motors that are directlyconnected to the structure of the robot and enable it to move and perform tasks. There are several types of actuators commonly used in robotics

  • Hydraulic: Uses oil to facilitate movement
  • Pneumatic: Uses air to facilitate movement
  • Electric: Uses electric current and magnets to facilitate movement
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  End-effectors

  The terms "effector" and "end-effector" both refer to the tools or attachments that are installed on the robot to carry out tasks and interact with the environment or workpiece.

  • Factory robots: welding torches, screwdrivers, rivet guns, paint sprayers.
  • Mobile robots have manipulators and grippers for lifting objects or disposing of dangerous ordinance.
  • Robots like those dispatched to other planets: shovels, drills, hammers, cameras, lights and other analytical implements
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  Power Supply

  Electricity serves as the primary power supply for nearly all robots. The form of power supply can vary depending on the type of robot. Stationary robots, commonly found in factory settings, typically receive direct power similar to other electrical appliances. On the other hand, mobile robots are often equipped with high-capacity batteries, allowing them to operate without a constant connection to an electrical outlet. This mobility enables them to navigate different environments and perform tasks in various locations
• Lesson 7.3 Main Components of Robots

  Program

  While not a physical component, the programming of a robot holdssignificant importance in its overall functionality. As we have explored the fundamental components of robots, we find that each of them either receives stimuli or offers feedback. However, it is the programming within the robot that governs and guides these behaviors, providing the necessary logic for its operations.
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  1. Light Sensor
  2. Sound Sensor
  3. Temperature Sensor
  4. Proximity Sensor
  5. Accelerator Sensor
  6. Tactile Sensor
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  Light Sensor

  also known as a light detector or photo sensor, is a type of sensor that detects the presence, absence, or intensity of light in its surrounding environment. It converts the optical energy (light) into an electrical signal,allowing electronic devices or systems to respond to changes in light levels
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  Sound Sensor

  is generally a microphone used to detect sound and return a voltage equivalent to the sound level. Using sound sensor, a simple robot can be designed to navigate based on the sound receives. Implementation ofsound sensors is not easy as light sensors because it generates a very small voltage difference which will be amplified to generate measurable voltage change
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  Temperature Sensor

  is used to detect the surrounding temperature change. Itis based on the principle of voltage difference change for a temperature change; this voltage change will provide the surrounding temperature equivalent. Temperature sensing applications include air temperature,surface temperature, and immersion temperature
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  Proximity Sensornearby objects can be detected by a proximity sensor without physical contact. The transmitter transmits electromagnetic radiation in the adjacent sensor and receives and analyzes the interruption feedback signal. Thus, the amount of light received in the area can be used todetect the presence of nearby objects. The sensors provide a collision avoidance method for the robot
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  Accelerator Sensor

  is a type of sensor that measures acceleration or changesin acceleration experienced by an object or device. It detects the movement and orientation of the object in three-dimensional space. Accelerometers are commonly used in various applications, including robotics, consumer electronics, automotive systems, aerospace, and virtual reality
• Lesson 7.3.1 Types of Robotic Sensors

  Tactile Sensor

  is a device specifying an object’s contact. Often used in everydayobjects such as elevator buttons and lamps, which dim or brighten by touching the base, a tactile sensor allows the robot to touch and feel. These sensors are used to measure applications and gently interact with the environment
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  1. Manufacturing
  2. Agriculture
  3. Logistics
  4. Military
  5. Healthcare
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Manufacturing

  It is unsurprising that the manufacturing industry, being a frontrunner intechnological advancements, serves as both the largest employer of robotics technicians and the primary user of robots worldwide. Manufacturing has consistently been at the forefront of benefiting from technological progress, and the field of robotics is no exception. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, approximately 8.5% of the national workforce is employed in manufacturing, contributing to around 11% of the national economic output.
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Agriculture

  The agricultural industry also stands out as a significant user of robots. With the global population steadily growing alongside rapid technological advancements, the agricultural sector has experienced substantial benefits. Robots play a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for agricultural products. They offer a range of applications, including precise robotic armatures that reduce the reliance on pesticides and improve overall efficiency beyond what conventional technologies can achieve.
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Logistics

  The rise of remote work and online shopping has significantly impacted the growth of warehouses and order fulfillment services. With the implementation of lockdowns, quarantines, and other challenges, the supply chain has faced new and unexpected stress points. Human logistics professionals have increasingly turned to robots for assistance. This reliance on robots is evident in the warehouse industry, where automation plays a crucial role in the continuous storage and retrieval of goods, operating around the clock to meet the demands of consumers
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Military

  The military utilizes robots for various purposes, including enhancing the safety of soldiers and supporting the maintenance of military equipment. For instance, robots designed for bomb disposal play a vital role in keeping soldiers out of harm's way. They are employed in the maintenance and upkeep of critical military assets such as helicopters and other equipment. Also, responsible for the repair, maintenance, and operation of these robotic tools, ensuring their effectiveness and reliability in military operations
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Healthcare

  1. The da Vinci Surgical Robot
  2. The Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot
  3. The PARO Therapeutic Robot
  4. The CyberKnife
  5. The TUG
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Healthcare: The da Vinci Surgical Robot

  a multi-armed wonderbot, is being used to reduce surgical errors and make surgery less invasive for thousands of patients. gives surgeons more precise control for a range of procedures. Using magnified 3D high-definition vision and controls that strap to a surgeon's wrists and hands, makes tiny, exact incisions that human hands might not otherwise be able to make. This offers enhanced control to surgeons and, since the surgery is less invasive than traditional surgery, a faster healing time for patients

  
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Healthcare: The Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot

  To combat this elemental problem, the Xenex, an automated and portable robot, is used to disinfect entire hospital rooms in minutes using pulsed, full-spectrum UV rays that kill a range of infectious bacteria. It's designed to reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs) such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by killing the microorganisms that cause them, which can be particularly resistant to treatment. Plus, the robot is kind of cute—it looks like an R2-D2 designed to save lives

  
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Healthcare: The PARO Therapeutic Robot

  This one is not designed to save lives per se, but to improve quality oflife during recovery from surgery or treatment for depression or other mental illness. The PARO Therapeutic Robot is an interactive device that looks like a baby harbor seal and is designed to provide the benefits ofanimal therapy without relying on live animals. Animal therapy is a common tool for easing patient stress, but there are not always trained animals available to satisfy current need. Friendly, animal-like PARO fits the bill

  
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Healthcare: The CyberKnife

  The CyberKnife has allowed for treatment of tumors in areas of thebody that were once surgically complex to operate on, including the prostate, head, neck and liver. This "surgery" is actually non-invasive and minimizes the exposure of healthy organs and tissues to radiation. What's more, the CyberKnife has been shown to be remarkably effective inthe long term for prostate cancer, although long-term control of other cancers have not been studied

  
• Lesson 7.4 Areas of Robotics

  Healthcare: The TUG

  You may never think about it, but transporting supplies, meals and other materials around the hospital is a drag on efficiency. One estimate shows that a typical 200-bed hospital moves meals, linens, lab samples, waste and other items the equivalent of 53 miles per day. Enter TUG, an autonomous mobile robot developed by Aethon Inc. to ferry supplies to where they are needed, freeing employees from heavy physical loads and allowing them to focus on patient care

  
• Lesson 7.5 Design Thinking

  Design thinking is a non-linear, iterative process that teams use tounderstand users, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and createinnovative solutions to prototype and test. Involving five phases—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test—it is most useful to tackleproblems that are ill-defined or unknown
• Lesson 7.5.1 Design Thinking Processes

  1. Empathize
  2. Define
  3. Ideate
  4. Prototype
  5. Test