Robotics

Robotics

Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots. It also deals with the computer systems that control and program these robots.

The design of a robotic system involves the principles of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence.

The concept of creating machines that can operate dates back to the classical times. However, research on the potential uses of robots did not grow until the 20th century.

There are different parts of a robot.

1. Sensors
• Sensors allow a robot to gather information about the environment around it
• This information is used to guide the robot and its behavior
• Cameras are sometimes used as sensors 
• They allow the robot to construct a visual image of the environment around them
• It allows the robot to see things it wouldn't see with a regular sensor like the shape, size, color and distance of things
• Microphones allow robots to detect sounds
• Buttons inside of bumpers on a robot allow them to see when they have bumped into walls or other things
• Advanced robots have thermometers and barometers that allow robots to sense temperature and pressure

1. Effectors
• These are parts of a robot that do the actual work of the robot
• They can be anything mounted on the robot that is controlled by a computer
• Almost always, effectors are specific to what you want your robot to do. 
• End-Effectors
• These are tools at end of a robot's arms.
• They interact directly with with objects in the world.
• Grippers, spikes, lights, hammers, screw-drivers
• Motors
• They are used for many of the moving parts of a robot.
• Pneumatics and Hydraulics are another way of moving parts on a robot. However, they are used when a robot needs a lot of strength for a task. 
• Speakers
• They allow robots to talk and interact with humans. 
• They are able to produce many different sounds.

1. Control Systems (the brains) 
• It is the part of a robot that determines what it will do and what actions it will do.
• Pre-Programmed Robots
• These robots repeat the same actions over and over again.
• They can only detect very little information from their environment. 
• Autonomous Robots
• These are able to respond more appropriately to their complicated environments. 
• They will have many sensors in order to detect these changes.
• They will also have a range of behaviors that will allow them to respond to these changes.