Introduction to Robotics
I
What is a Robot?
What is your idea of a Robot?
The term “Robot”
-is drawn from an old Slavic word “Robota”
which means servitude, forced labor, or
slave
Robot
-is powered by electricity
-a machine that is programmed to
carry out certain tasks more
efficiently than manual labor
-senses the environment using
sensors and reacts accordingly on
its own
Types of Robot
Based on their level of dependence
Autonomous Robot
• Can work without human intervention
• Acquires information about the working
environment
• Have the ability to take care of itself
Autonomous Robot
NASA’s Opportunity Rover
Years active: 14 years, 138 Earth days
Autonomous Robot
Roomba
Roomba is an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners sold by iRobot
Remote Controlled Robots
• Requires a human operator
• Can be controlled over a distance
(teleoperated)
Remote Controlled Robot
Fire-fighting Robot
Remote Controlled Robot
Battlebots
TV-program/Entertainment
Semi-Autonomous Robots
• Can switch between remote-controlled or
Autonomous modes
Semi-Autonomous Robot
Using App/Remote
Sample Programmed Flight Path
Application of Robots
Application of Robots
• INDUSTRY: For handling and moving materials
Application of Robots
• SPACE: For exploring outer space
Application of Robots
• MEDICINE: Surgical & Rehabilitation Robots
Application of Robots
• AGRICULTURE: Unmanned Tractor for Fertilizer application, tilling, etc.
Application of Robots
• MILITARY: Bomb discarding robots, drone surveillance, etc.
Application of Robots
• HOUSEHOLD: Cooking, cleaning, and washing purposes
Application of Robots
• ENTERTAINMENT: Humanoids, robot dogs, etc.
Artificial Intelligence Aibo – Robot Dog
developed by Sony
Basic Components of Robots
‘HANDS’ : Basic Components of Robots
• Robot hands are also called end-effectors
• The most common end-effectors is the gripper.
Gripper –gives a robot the capability of holding, carrying, and releasing objects
‘HANDS’ : Basic Components of Robots
Grippers come in many sizes and styles so that the correct ones can be used
according to the work to be done
‘FEET’ : Basic Components of Robots
• This helps the robot in moving around
• Generally, a mobile robot’s feet are in the form of wheels
‘FEET’ : Basic Components of Robots
Wheels are attached to a DC motor (actuators) which enables the wheels to
turn
‘FEET’ : Basic Components of Robots
Castor wheel
-is usually a small
round sphere, which
rolls freely on the
ground
-it enables the robot
to move in any
direction
‘MUSCLES’ : Basic Components of Robots
• A robot’s muscle is called the Actuator
• The actuator helps the brain of the robot to respond to the
surrounding environment
• It helps the robot to move its hands and its feet
‘SKELETON’ : Basic Components of Robots
• A robot’s skeleton is called the robot chassis or simply chassis
‘SKELETON’ : Basic Components of Robots
Chassis
-it is a frame unto
which the actuators,
effectors, wheels the
brain of the robot is
attached and
supported.
‘SENSES’ : Basic Components of Robots
• A robot senses the environment using electronic sensors
Sensor –is a device that detects input from the
outside world and responds to it.
‘BRAIN’ : Basic Components of Robots
• In humans, the Brain is responsible for controlling all the
senses, and, functions of the body, such as thinking, eating,
sleeping, and moving the arms and the legs.
• The robot’s brain also does BRAIN
the same. It controls what it
thinks, what it does, and
how it moves its arms and
legs.
‘BRAIN’ : Basic Components of Robots