PANTOMATH

Introduction to Robotics

Robotics is a multidisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence to design and develop machines called robots. These robots can perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously in various applications.

Definition and Scope of Robotics

• Definition:
  • Robotics is the branch of engineering and science that focuses on the design, construction, operation, and use of robots.
• Scope:
  • Robotics spans industrial, medical, military, space exploration, and domestic applications.

Types of Robots

1. Industrial Robots
   • Used in manufacturing processes like assembly, welding, painting, and material handling.
   • Examples: Robotic arms (KUKA, FANUC, ABB).
   • Characteristics: High precision, repetitive operations, and efficiency.
2. Mobile Robots
   • Robots capable of moving around in their environment.
   • Categories:
     • Wheeled Robots: For flat surfaces.
     • Legged Robots: For rough terrains (e.g., Boston Dynamics' Spot).
   • Applications: Warehousing (e.g., Amazon Kiva robots), delivery systems, exploration.
3. Humanoid Robots
   • Robots that resemble humans in appearance and movement.
   • Examples: Honda’s ASIMO, SoftBank’s Pepper.
   • Applications: Customer interaction, healthcare, research.
4. Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
   • Designed to work alongside humans in a shared workspace.
   • Features: Safe interaction, lightweight design, easy programmability.
   • Applications: Assembly lines, small-scale manufacturing, medical assistance.
5. Autonomous Robots
   • Operate without human intervention.
   • Examples: Self-driving cars, drones.
   • Technologies Used: AI, machine learning, LIDAR, computer vision.
6. Service Robots
   • Assist in personal or professional tasks.
   • Examples: Cleaning robots (Roomba), surgical robots (da Vinci system).
   • Applications: Healthcare, hospitality, domestic assistance.

Key Components of Robots

1. Mechanical Components
   • Structure: Frame, joints, and links providing physical form and movement.
   • Actuators: Motors and mechanisms enabling motion.
   • End Effectors: Tools or devices at the end of a robotic arm (e.g., grippers, welding torches).
2. Electrical Components
   • Power Supply: Batteries, solar panels, or wired connections.
   • Sensors: Devices that provide information about the environment (e.g., cameras, temperature sensors).
   • Microcontrollers and Processors: Control units for executing tasks and processing data.
3. Control System
   • Software that manages robot actions based on inputs from sensors and instructions from humans or algorithms.
   • Types: Open-loop (no feedback) and Closed-loop (uses feedback).

Applications of Robotics

1. Industrial Applications
   • Automation in manufacturing (e.g., car assembly).
   • Quality control and inspection.
2. Healthcare
   • Robotic surgery (e.g., da Vinci Surgical System).
   • Prosthetics and rehabilitation robots.
3. Military and Defense
   • Surveillance drones, bomb disposal robots, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
4. Space Exploration
   • Rovers like NASA's Perseverance exploring Mars.
   • Robotic arms on the International Space Station (Canadarm).
5. Domestic Applications
   • Cleaning robots (e.g., Roomba), lawn-mowing robots, home assistants.
6. Entertainment and Education
   • Animatronics in movies, educational robots like LEGO Mindstorms.

Future Directions in Robotics

• Soft Robotics: Development of flexible, bio-inspired robots.
• Swarm Robotics: Multiple robots working together for collective tasks.
• AI-Powered Robots: Enhanced decision-making and autonomy.
• Robotics in Industry 4.0: Integration of IoT, cloud computing, and robotics for smart manufacturing.