Robotics Overview and Components

Overview

This lecture explains how robots work, covering their components, different types, applications, and the role of artificial intelligence in robotics.

Robots are machines built with a body, actuators (like muscles), sensors, power source, and a computer "brain."
Unlike other machines, robots have reprogrammable computer brains that control their movements.
The definition of a robot varies, but roboticists specify robots as programmable machines that move their bodies.

Robots have movable structures connected by joints, moved by actuators (motors, hydraulics, or pneumatics).
Power sources include batteries, wall power, solar power, or fuel cells.
Controllers (computers) manage actuators and sensors, and most robots are reprogrammable.
Common sensors measure motion, position, or environmental data.

Robotic arms have multiple segments and joints, often mimicking human arms.
Stepper motors or hydraulics allow precise, repeatable movements.
End effectors (tools or hands) are tailored for specific tasks, sometimes with pressure sensors.
Robotic arms are widely used in manufacturing, space exploration, surgery, and construction.

Mobile robots move using wheels, tracks, or legs; legs offer adaptability for various terrain.
Motion is controlled by pistons and often balanced with gyroscopes.
Some aerial robots use wings or propellers, while underwater robots may use legs or treads.
Mobile robots can be remotely controlled or partially autonomous, useful in hazardous environments.

Autonomous robots act based on programmed responses to sensory input (e.g., bump sensors).
Navigation techniques include boundary markers, magnetic tape, and SLAM mapping.
Sensors such as infrared, ultrasound, and cameras help detect obstacles and map environments.
Advanced robots use AI to adapt to unfamiliar terrain and learn from human behavior.

Hobbyists build robots using available components, sharing designs online and in makerspaces.
DIY robots range from simple remote-control machines to advanced, computer-controlled soccer bots.

Artificial intelligence (AI) enables robots to process sensory data, solve problems, and learn limited tasks.
AI in robotics is far from human-level intelligence but can handle specific applications like chess or cleaning.
Some robots learn actions by trial and error, others interact socially.
AI research aims to understand natural intelligence and develop robots that experience the world like humans.

Actuator — A device (motor, piston) that moves robot parts.
End effector — The tool or hand attached to a robot arm.
Degrees of freedom — The number of independent ways a robot part can move.
SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) — Technique for mapping and navigation using multiple sensors.
Autonomous robot — A robot that performs tasks without direct human control.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Computer systems replicating aspects of human thinking, learning, and problem-solving.