omputers, in which thousands of microcomputers will work in parallel.
Mo
ompanies are also
working on the fifth generation computers. Once,
esigns come in reality will lead to more-intelligent robots, the fifth generation
su
Su
ne five generations of robot controllers are described as follows:
Fifth generation
5-
Fourth generation
A
Third generation
Generations
3
Second generatioon
2 YZIIZZH
First generation
1
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Year
De
Development 77Continued Usage
4:
ig. Development of Robot Generations
Chp 1 1.10
First Generation:
he first generation robots are repeating robots, non-servopick and place or point-to-
oint, with mechanical sequences defining stop points. These robots were pneumatically
Owered. To reprogram the robot, a new precision CAM was installed. At this stage about
0% of early robots belong to this category. It isgeneral prediction that these will continue
o be in use long time.
for a
Second Generation:
he second generation starts with [Link] devices and enabling the robot to
lter its movements in_response to sensory feedback. Hardwired controllers provided the
rst programmable units. In 'pick and place' robots signals were derived from limitswitches,
roximity switches are similar devices.
hese controllers were also applicable to servo control. These robots exhibit path-control
apabilities.
Third Generation:
evelopment of robots having human-like intelligencee marked the beginning of third
eneration. The growth in computers led to high-speed processing of information and thus,
oots acquired artificial intelligence, self-learning.
udcea into the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC),
industry, provided a
microprocessor-based robotic controller that is easy
program. The controller primarily serves
Oints, grinnor to direct the sequence of rabat motions stnn
of
Oavelopment or
Development robots
roDots havinga
human-like nteligence
navingnumdn-ikE intelligence marked
ration, The growth in computers led to
the beginning of third
of third
hots acquired artificial high-speed processing of information
intelligence,
seif-learning. and thus.
intr into the industry,
provided a Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
ranroaram. The controller primarily
microprocessor-based
serves to direct the
robotic controller that is
easyy
points, gripper actions and velocity. sequence of robot motions, stobp
4. Fourth Generation:
Ear the control beyond a
PLC
a microcomputer
other programmable may control the entire system, including
machinery. in.a robot workcellI.
Whereas,
programming, minicomputer may use a PLCs are limited in
their
language for more advanced off-line special
robot
programming language or standard
programming
Minicomputer-type robots based on artificial or
CAD/CAM and CIM interface.
the end of 1980. These controllers now allow
intelligence became commercially available at
5. Fifth Generation: integration with vision or tactile sensors.
Prediction about its features is
an artificial difficult, though not impossible. It
biological robot or a may be a true android or
Robot controllers super humanoid capable of producing its own clones.
will involve
decision-making capabilities. complete
SIXth and
'Artificial
An artificial
Intelligence'
biological robot
(AI), miniaturized sensors, and
higher generation robots. might provide the impetus for
plctorial visualization of these overlapping generations of robots is given in Fig. 1.4.
WOrkcell: The robot alongwith associated
1onKcells.
There are three basic equipments like conveyors, production machines, fixtures and tools; is called
Robot-centered [Link] layouts as
In-line robot cell.
Mobile robot cell.
.
and installation costs of equipments of robots are quite nug
2. The initial workers.
human workers, thus causing resentment among
3. They replace
TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS
as follows
into two main groups
Industrial robots can be broadly divided
robots.
1. General purpose
robots.
2. Special purpose
robots:
1. General purpose
and are readily availdb
These robots carry standard designs and parts attaching suitable
end
to the users' requirements by as a
They can be easily adapted of the work, such
effectors or fingers to them according
to the reauirement
etc.
spray painting,
part picking operation, welding operation,
are cheaper.
Since such robots are mass produced, they
2. Special purpose robots : The ultimate
user has
requirements.
robots are tailor made to specific iob
robots are specially designed
These
based on them, these
requirements and,
to feed his their designing and
and built to cater to such specific needs. Obviously, available
they can not be readily
consumes a lot of time. As such,
manutacturing
in market. bound to be
scale, their prices
are
manufactured on mass
Since they can not be
higher.
follows:
Robots may also be categorised as
1. Tele-robots:
remote control.
These guided by
are
human operators through
2. Telepresence robots it is provided
of robot is similar to a tele-robot with a difference that
This type
with a feedback of video,
sound and other data.
3. Mobile robots:
These robots are so designed as to navigate and carry eut the task with the
intervention of human beings.
4. Autonomous robots
independently and receive their power from
These robots perform their tasks
their environment.