1. Robotics

2. Origin of the Term "Robot"
In 1921, Czech playwright Karel Capek coined the term "robot" for his play, "Rossum’s Universal Robots." The term is derived from the Czech word for "worker" or "serf". The robots in the play were machines that looked and behaved like people and performed manual labor for humans.

3. The most widely accepted definition for an industrial robot was created by the Robotics Institute of America: "A robot is a re-programmable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move materials, parts, tools or specialized devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks."

4. Multifunctional - A robot must be versatile and capable of performing a variety of tasks.

5. Re-programmable - With a new control program a robot can perform a new task without requiring major physical modifications.

6. These two concepts (multi-functional & re-programmable) are fundamental to the science of robotics: the design, manufacture and use of robots.

7. How Robots are Used
As technology advances, robots are taking over more and more tasks formerly done by humans. Jobs that are dangerous, repetitive or in hard-to-reach places are now being performed by robots. Robots are found in factories, hospitals, homes and even on the planet Mars.

8. Robotic Welding
Spot welding is used to join two pieces of sheet metal by passing a high electrical current through a small spot where the two pieces touch. The spot welding machine is heavy - not a hand-held tool. Robots, however, can be built strong enough to handle the heavy spot-welder as if it were a hand-held device, and they can be programmed to place the spots with far greater accuracy than a human worker can achieve.

9. Robotic Welding
Arc welding is used to join two heavy, solid pieces of metal with the heat from a high-voltage spark. The process uses a consumable metal rod called the electrode. The melted metal from the electrode is added to the melted metal from the two pieces being joined. This line of melted metal is called the bead.

10. Robotic Welding
The strength of the weld depends on the uniformity of the bead, which in turn depends on the gap between the electrode and the work pieces, the rate of feed of the electrode as it is used up, the rate of progress along the bead, and other factors. Although a human can learn this difficult skill, it is much better performed by a robot, which never gets tired or bored, and can work in small spaces in positions that would be uncomfortable for a human.

11. Machine Loading
Robots can pick up parts to load and unload a machine in a process. This is useful in applications where the work environment is unpleasant, such as in die casting. Molten metal is poured into molds, cooled, and the finished part is removed from the mold. These molds can weigh hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds. Robots are perfect for this application because of the repetitive nature of the task and the harsh work environment.

12. Machine Loading
Robots are also used to load and unload computer controlled machining centers. In a CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) cell, the parts are brought to the robot by a conveyor and the manufacturing is managed by a central control in the plant.

13. Spray Finishing
The automotive industry uses robots to paint automotive body panels. To produce a consistent finish the paint must be applied at a uniform rate, a uniform distance from the surface, and at a uniform angle. A robot can be programmed to produce consistent results part after part. Furthermore, spray finishing produces toxic fumes, creating a hazardous environment for humans to work in. Robots do not need to have ventilators to protect them from fumes.

14. Assembly and Inspection
Robots can bolt parts together quickly, which makes them very useful on high-speed assembly lines. They can also be used to inspect parts during the assembly process. They can compare the measurements of a part to the correct measurements. If the part does not fit or fails inspection, the robot can reject the part or signal a warning. They can also determine the orientation of the part so that the robot can pick the part up directly off of a conveyor belt. This technology has vastly improved efficiency and quality in manufacturing.

15. Hazardous Environments
In hazardous environments, a robot can often perform tasks without the risk to human well-being. The space shuttle uses a robotic arm to deploy satellites. Scientists in nuclear labs use robotic arms to handle plutonium without the risk of radiation poisoning. Mobile robots allow bomb squads to disarm potential bombs from a safe distance.

16. Commercial Robots
iRobot’s Roomba is a programmable robotic vacuum cleaner, a perfect example of the integration of robotics into everyday life. The Roomba senses its environment and can be programmed to clean around a specific schedule, like when you are not home. When it senses that its battery is low, it automatically finds its charging station and recharges itself. Robots like the Roomba can get rid of all the mundane tasks around the house that everyone dislikes but must be done. This is a large, emerging market.

17. Robot System Components
A basic robot is made up of several main components: Controller Power Supply Mechanical Structure Manipulator Inputs Outputs

18. Controller
The controller is the "brain" of the robot. It contains a microprocessor which executes instructions programmed by the operator. As the operator of your Vex robot, you will transfer instructions to the controller by downloading a computer program into the controller's memory. The controller also reads input data from sensors and sends output signals to activate motors, grippers, tools and other devices. The controller can also send status messages to the operator.

19. Teach Pendant
Many robots, both stationary and mobile, have a teach pendant. This device is a miniature control panel connected directly to the controller with a cable. It allows the operator to move the robot manually and run the robot’s program one line at a time. A teach pendant usually has an emergency stop switch, also called an E-stop switch.

20. Teach Pendant

21. Dead Man's Switch
A stop switch that requires the operator to hold it continuously is called a dead man's switch. The robot will stop moving instantly when the emergency stop switch is activated. A dead man's switch is used in situations where the robot must be stopped if something happens to the operator. The operator might slip and let go of the teach pendant. If the operator falls into the robot's work envelope, for example, an injury could occur if the robot does not stop immediately.

22. Wireless Control
Wireless control devices can be connected to the controller to allow the operator to input instructions to the robot from a distance. A robot controlled remotely is said to be teleoperated.

23. Power Supply
The main source of power for most robots is electricity. Electricity can come from a variety of sources like a wall outlet, a solar cell or a battery. In order for a robot to perform its task, it must have a consistent power supply. Lack of power can cause the robot to malfunction.

24. Mechanical Structure
The mechanical structure is the backbone of the robot. Its design depends on the task it must perform. The mechanical structure must be strong enough to perform the task. In some applications, the mechanical structure must be mobile so wheels, gears and bearings are added to the system. The manipulator is typically mounted to or is part of the mechanical structure.

25. Manipulator
The manipulator is the part of the robot designed to perform the specific task of the robot. It is most commonly in the shape of a multi-jointed arm. At the end of the arm, there typically is an end effector.

26. Manipulator
An end effector can be anything from a welding gun to a pneumatic gripper. End effectors are usually unique to the task being performed and are designed to be changed when the robotic task changes.

27. Manipulator

28. Inputs
A robot can be equipped with many types of sensors. Sensors provide input to the computer control program so that decisions can be made about what actions to take. Sensors tell the robot about its immediate environment and also about the physical objects the robot is designed to affect.

29. Inputs
Sensors can detect and measure light, temperature, pressure, water levels, and any other physical quantity. Switches are a form of sensor. Limit switches can sense an obstruction and turn off the drive motors in response.

30. Outputs
Signals from the controller instruct the robot to DO something. It can run motors to move itself from place to place, or to move grippers and other end effectors. It can turn lights on and off, and can broadcast sounds. These are all examples of robotic outputs. The output device does the actual work.

31. Outputs
The example in the picture shows a robot loading a CNC machine. The outputs in this example are the gripper of the robot and the vise on the CNC machine.

32. Outputs
This program, combines inputs, outputs and programming to design a robot that can react intelligently to its environment.