Robots

What is a robot? Does it have to look like a human? Why do engineers design and build robots? Where do the ideas for how robots work come from? Can you think of a situation in which a robot would be necessary or at least helpful? What specific characteristics would designers need to include in such a robot? What is a robot? Does it have to look like a human? Why do engineers design and build robots? Where do the ideas for how robots work come from? Can you think of a situation in which a robot would be necessary or at least helpful? What specific characteristics would designers need to include in such a robot? What is a robot? Does it have to look like a human? Why do engineers design and build robots? Where do the ideas for how robots work come from? Can you think of a situation in which a robot would be necessary or at least helpful? What specific characteristics would designers need to include in such a robot? What is a robot? Does it have to look like a human? Why do engineers design and build robots? Where do the ideas for how robots work come from? Can you think of a situation in which a robot would be necessary or at least helpful? What specific characteristics would designers need to include in such a robot?

a robot is a mechanical device that is capable of performing a variety of tasks on command or according to instructions programmed in advance.

Robotics and AI Robotics is the study of the design, construction and use of robots Artificial Intelligence is the branch of computer science that deals with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively

Automation vs. robots Automation –Machinery designed to carry out a specific task Bottling machine Dishwasher

Automation vs. robots Robots – machinery programmed to carry out different tasks Pick and place arms Mobile robots Computer Numerical Control machines

Ideal Tasks Dangerous environments Space exploration chemical spill cleanup disarming bombs disaster cleanup

Boring and/or repetitive tasks Welding car frames Picking and placing parts manufacturing parts Paint spraying.

High precision or high speed tasks precision machining Electronics testing Surgery

Continuous path control robots Pick and Place robots Moves items from one point to another Does not need to follow a specific path between points Uses include loading and unloading machines, placing components on circuit boards, and moving parts off conveyor belts. Continuous path control robots Moves along a specific path Uses include welding, cutting, machining parts.

Sensory robots Use sensors for feedback. Eg optical sensors, cameras, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, sonar. Closed-loop robots use sensors and actuators to gain higher accuracy robotrace video

Controlling robots Open loop, i.e., no feedback, deterministic Closed loop, i.e., receives feedback from sensors, maybe a sense of touch and/or vision

New directions Haptics--tactile sensing Other kinematic mechanisms, e.g. snake motion Artificial neural networks Robots that can learn

The Y8 prototype robot