Computer

• Robotics projects provide an opportunity for the students to directly interact with the computer technology.
• 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.
• 5 Primary Area of Robotics

  1. Operator Interface
  2. Mobility or Locomotion
  3. Manipulators and Effectors
  4. Programming
  5. Sensing and Perception
• 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.
• 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.
• In order for a robot to complete a task, it needs to be able to move in its environment. In robotics, this movement is called locomotion.
• For any robot to be worthwhile, it must be able to interact with its environment; that’s where manipulators and effectors come into play.
• Manipulators and effectors 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.
• 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
• Programming refers to the process of writing instructions and code that control the behavior and actions of a robot.
• 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.
• 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.
• The right sensor must be selected for each robot’s specific application to ensure that the correct decisions are made.
• 6 Main components of Robots

  1. Central Processing Unit
  2. Sensors
  3. Actuators
  4. End-effectors
  5. Power Supply
  6. Program
• 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 to external 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.
• Sensors serve as the powerhouse of a robot's feedback mechanism, acting as its eyes and ears to gather information about the surrounding environment.
• 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 directly connected to the structure of the robot and enable it to move and perform tasks.
• 3 types of common Actuators:

  1. Hydraulic
  2. Pneumatic
  3. Electric
• Hydraulic: Uses oil to facilitate movement

  Pneumatic: Uses air to facilitate movement

  Electric: Uses electric current and magnets to facilitate movement
• One common feature shared by most robots is the presence of endeffectors.
• The terms "effector" and "end-effector" are often used interchangeably, and they both refer to the tools or attachments that are installed on the robot to carry out specific tasks and interact with the environment or workpiece.
• Examples of end-effectors used in different types of robots:

  • Factory robots may feature end-effectors such as welding torches, screwdrivers, rivet guns and paint sprayers.
  • Mobile robots usually have manipulators and grippers for lifting objects or disposing of dangerous ordinance.
  • Robots like those dispatched to other planets may carry shovels, drills, hammers, cameras, lights and other analytical implements.
• Similar to human beings needing food for energy, robots also require a power source to function.
• Electricity serves as the primary power supply for nearly all robots.
• 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.
• While not a physical component, the programming of a robot holds significant importance in its overall functionality.
• It is the programming within the robot that governs and guides these behaviors, providing the necessary logic for its operations.
• 6 types of Robotic Sensors

  1. Light sensor
  2. Sound sensor
  3. Temperature sensor
  4. Proximity sensor
  5. Accelerator sensor
  6. Tactile sensor
• 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.
• 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 of sound sensors is not easy as light sensors because it generates a very small voltage difference which will be amplified to generate measurable voltage change.
• Temperature Sensor - is used to detect the surrounding temperature change. It is 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.
• Proximity Sensor - nearby 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 to detect the presence of nearby objects. The sensors provide a collision avoidance method for the robot.
• Tactile Sensor - is a device specifying an object’s contact. Often used in everyday objects 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.
• Accelerator Sensor - is a type of sensor that measures acceleration or changes in 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.
• 5 Areas of Robotics

  1. Manufacturing
  2. Agriculture
  3. Logistics
  4. Military
  5. Healthcare