Introduction to Robotics

What is Robotics?
 Definition: Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the
design, construction, operation, and use of robots.
 Purpose: Robots are machines designed to perform tasks that are
often repetitive, dangerous, or require precision.
Key Components:
 Mechanical Structure: The physical parts of the robot.
 Control System: The "brain" that dictates the robot's actions.
 Sensors: Devices that help the robot understand its environment.
 Actuators: Components that move the robot's parts.
WHAT IS A ROBOT?
 A robot is a programmable machine that can complete a task,
 while the term robotics describes the field of study focused on
developing robots and automation.
 Each robot has a different level of autonomy.
 These levels range from human-controlled bots that carry out tasks
to fully-autonomous bots that perform tasks without any external
influences.
Benefits of Teaching Robotics in Schools

 1. Enhances Problem-Solving Skills:

Hands-on Learning: Students learn to design, build, and program robots, which promotes critical
thinking and problem-solving.
 2. Encourages Creativity:
Design Challenges: Robotics projects often require innovative solutions, fostering creativity.
 3. Prepares for Future Careers:
Tech Skills: Learning robotics introduces students to valuable skills in fields of engineering and
technology.
 4. Promotes Collaboration:
Teamwork: Robotics often involves working in teams, which improves communication and teamwork
skills.
 5. Skill Development:
STEM Skills: Robotics fosters skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),
which are valuable in many fields
 6.Makes Learning Fun:
• Students are able to program a robot and get immediate feed back through actions of a robot ,
making the learning process rewarding and motivating.
MAIN COMPONENTS OF A ROBOT

1. Sensors:
sensors allow the robot to capture its surroundings and process the most logical
conclusion based on the current moment and allows the controller to relay
commands to the additional components.
• Purpose: Detect changes in the robot’s environment.
• Examples: Cameras(acts as eyes), microphones(acts as ears), temperature
sensors.
 2. Actuators:
• Purpose: Move and control the robot’s parts.
• Examples: Motors, servos.
 3. Controller:
• Purpose: The brain of the robot that processes information and sends
commands to actuators.
• Examples: Microcontrollers, CPUs.
 4. Power Supply:
Like the human body requires food in order to function, robots require power.
• Purpose: Provides energy for the robot to function.
• Examples: Batteries, solar panels, AC power for stationary robots
Some potential power sources for future robotic development also include
 pneumatic power from compressed gasses,
 hydraulic power,
 flywheel energy storage organic garbage through anaerobic digestion and nuclear
power.
 5. Chassis:
• Purpose: The robot's body that houses all components.
• Examples: Frame, wheels.
 6. End effectors:
• Purpose They are usually attached to the end of a robotic arm to act as
the "hand" of the robot, designed to manipulate objects, perform tasks, or
interact with the surroundings.
• Example: surgical robots may be equipped with scalpels and other kinds
of robots can be built with gripping claws or even hands for tasks like
deliveries, packing, bomb diffusion and much more.
 Types of Sensors in Robotics
 1. Proximity Sensors:
• Function: Detect the presence of objects nearby without physical contact.
• Types: Infrared, ultrasonic.
 2. Vision Sensors:
• Function: Capture images and video to interpret visual data.
• Types: Cameras, image sensors.
 3. Touch Sensors:
• Function: Detect physical contact or pressure.
• Types: Tactile sensors, pressure sensors.
 4. Temperature Sensors:
• Function: Measure the temperature of objects or the environment.
• Types: Thermocouples, thermistors.
 5. Gyroscopes and Accelerometers:
• Function: Measure the robot’s orientation and acceleration.
• Types: MEMS gyroscopes, 3-axis accelerometers.
Characteristics of robots
1. Autonomy:
Definition: The ability to perform tasks and make decisions without
human intervention.
Levels: Ranges from fully autonomous robots that operate
independently to semi-autonomous robots that require human input for
certain tasks.
 For example, the Mars 2020 Rover’s wheels are individually
motorized and made of titanium tubing that help it firmly grip the
harsh terrain of the red planet.
Mars rover
2. Sensing:
Definition: The ability to perceive and interpret environmental information.
Types of Sensors: Includes: 1)vision sensors (cameras), 2)distance sensors
(ultrasonic, infrared), 3).touch sensors, and more.
3. Actuation:
Definition: The capability to perform actions based on sensory input and
programmed instructions.
Types of Actuators: Includes motors, servos, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic
systems that control movement and interaction
 4. Manipulation:
• Definition: The ability to interact with objects and the environment through
physical actions.
• Tools: Grippers, arms, and other mechanisms designed for handling and
manipulating objects
 5. Mobility:
• Definition: The ability to move and navigate through different environments.
• Types: Includes wheeled robots (e.g., autonomous vehicles), tracked robots (e.g.,
rover robots), and legged robots (e.g., walking robots).
 6. Programming:
• Definition: The instructions that control the robot’s behavior and decision-making
processes.
• Robots contain at least some level of computer programming.
• Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would just be another piece of
simple machinery.
• Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would just be another piece of
simple machinery.
• Languages: Robots can be programmed using various languages such as
scratch ,Python, C++,
 7. Communication:
• Definition: The ability to exchange information with other robots or systems, and
sometimes with humans.
• Methods: Includes wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), wired
communication (e.g., Ethernet), and sometimes natural language processing.
 8. Perception:
• Definition: The ability to gather and interpret data about the environment using
sensors.
• Applications: Allows robots to recognize objects, avoid obstacles, and respond to
environmental changes.
 9. Adaptability:
• Definition: The capability to adjust behavior based on changing conditions or new
information.
• Examples: Adaptive algorithms that allow robots to handle unexpected situations
or learn from experience.
 10. Energy Source:
• Definition: The method by which a robot is powered to perform its functions.
• Types: Includes batteries (e.g., lithium-ion), fuel cells, and sometimes direct power
sources (e.g., wired connections).
 11. Interaction:
• Definition: The ways in which robots interact with humans or other robots.
• Interfaces: Includes touchscreens, voice commands, physical buttons, and gesture
recognition systems.
 Types of robots
 Here are the main types of robots categorized by their application, design,
and functionality:
1. Industrial Robots
• Definition: Robots used in manufacturing and production environments to
automate tasks.
• Examples:
• Articulated Robots: Robots with rotary joints, used for tasks like welding, painting,
and assembly.
• SCARA Robots (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm): Specialized for
high-speed, precision tasks like pick-and-place operations.
• Cartesian Robots: Robots that move in straight lines along X, Y, and Z axes, used
in 3D printing and CNC machines.
 2. Service Robots
• Definition: Robots that perform tasks to assist humans in daily activities, often in personal
or public environments.
• Examples:
• Home Robots: Includes vacuum cleaners (like Roomba), lawn mowers, and personal assistants
like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
• Hospitality Robots: Used in hotels and restaurants for customer service, like Pepper or delivery
robots.
 3. Humanoid Robots
• Definition: Robots designed to resemble and mimic human movements and appearance.
• These robots usually perform human-like activities (like running, jumping and carrying
objects), and are sometimes designed to look like us, even having human faces and
expressions.
• Examples:
• Bipedal Humanoids: Robots that walk on two legs, like Honda's ASIMO or Boston Dynamics'
Atlas.
• Androids: Robots with human-like faces and features, often used for research, entertainment, or
interaction, like Sophia the robot.
 4. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
• Definition: Robots that can navigate and operate in an environment without human
guidance.
• Examples:
• Self-Driving Cars: Like Tesla’s autonomous vehicles.
• Delivery Drones and Robots: Used by companies like Amazon and Starship Technologies to
deliver packages.
• Warehouse Robots: AMRs used in logistics and distribution centers to transport goods, like
those used by Amazon .
 5. Teleoperated Robots
• Definition: Robots controlled remotely by a human operator from a safe distance.
• These robots usually work in extreme geographical conditions, weather and circumstances.
• Examples:
• Rovers: Used for space exploration, like NASA’s Mars Rover.
• Bomb Disposal Robots: Used by the military and police to handle explosives.
• Underwater Drones (ROVs): Remotely operated for deep-sea exploration and maintenance
tasks.
 6. Military and Defense Robots
• Definition: Robots used in defense and military operations, often designed for
reconnaissance, combat, or hazardous missions.
• Examples:
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Drones used for surveillance or combat missions.
• Ground Robots: Used for tasks like defusing bombs or carrying equipment
 7. Educational Robots
• Definition: Robots used for teaching students about robotics, coding, and STEM
subjects.
• Examples:
• LEGO Mindstorms: A popular robot-building kit for students.
• VEX Robotics: Used in competitions to teach students programming, engineering, and
design
 8. Medical Robots
• Definition: Robots that assist in medical procedures, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
• Examples:
• Surgical Robots: Like the da Vinci system, which assists surgeons in minimally invasive
surgeries.
• Robotic Prosthetics: Artificial limbs that help patients regain mobility.
• Rehabilitation Robots: Assist patients in physical therapy by guiding their movements.
 9. Space Robots
• Definition: Robots designed to explore and perform tasks in space environments.
• Examples:
• Rovers: Like the Mars Rover, designed for planetary exploration.
• Robotic Arms: Used on spacecraft, such as the Canadarm on the International Space
Station.
 10. Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
• Definition: Robots designed to work safely alongside humans in shared workspaces.
• Examples:
• Assembly Cobots: Used in industries for tasks like assembling parts, working hand-in-hand
with humans.
• Medical Assistance Cobots: Help surgeons during operations by holding instruments or
assisting with precision tasks.
 11. Swarm Robots
• Definition: A group of small robots working together to accomplish a task, inspired by
the behavior of insects like ants or bees.
• Examples:
• Swarm Drones: Used for search and rescue missions, or in agriculture for field monitoring.
• Research Robots: Small, simple robots that interact with each other to solve complex
problems through coordination
 Applications of Robots
1. Manufacturing:
• Automation: Robots handle repetitive tasks like assembly, welding, and painting.
2. Healthcare:
• Surgery: Surgical robots assist in precision surgeries.
• Rehabilitation: Robots help patients with physical therapy.
3. Exploration:
• Space: Robots like rovers explore other planets.
• Underwater: Submarines and underwater drones explore the ocean depths.
4. Everyday Life:
• Home Assistants: Robots like vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers help with household
chores.
5.Rescue: undertaking search-and-rescue missions after natural disasters.
6.Military Operations:
• Robots equipped with cameras, sensors, and communication devices are used to gather
intelligence from enemy territory without putting soldiers at risk.
6.Delivery:
Function: These robots are designed to transport goods from one location to another
autonomously, without human intervention
Examples: Starship Technologies: Small, six-wheeled robots used to deliver groceries,
food, or packages in urban areas. They can navigate sidewalks, avoid obstacles, and
deliver items within short distances.
Drone Delivery (Aerial Robots):
Function: Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are used to deliver lightweight packages
over short distances. These drones navigate through GPS and other sensors to deliver
items quickly and efficiently.
What Is a Bot?
 What Is a Bot?
 Software robotics, also called bots, are computer programs which
carry out tasks autonomously.
 One common use case of software robots is a chatbot.
 A chat bot is a computer program that simulates conversation both
online and over the phone and is often used in customer service
scenarios.
TYPES OF BOTS
 TYPES OF BOTS
 Chatbots: carry out simple conversations, often in a customer
service setting.
 Spam Bots: collect email addresses and send spam mail.
 Download Bots: download software and apps automatically.
 Search Engine Crawler Bots: scan websites and make them
visible on search engines.
 Monitoring Bots: report on website speed and status.
How Do Robots Function?
INDEPENDENT ROBOTS
 Independent robots are capable of functioning completely
autonomously and independent of human operator control.
 These typically require more intense programming but allow robots
to take the place of humans when undertaking dangerous, mundane
or otherwise impossible tasks, from bomb diffusion and deep-sea
travel to factory automation.
 Independent robots have proven to be the most disruptive to
society, as they eliminate certain jobs but also present new
possibilities for growth.
Dependent Robots
 Dependent robots are non-autonomous robots that interact with humans to
enhance and supplement their already existing actions.
 This is a relatively new form of technology and is being constantly expanded into
new applications,
 but one form of dependent robots that has been realized is advanced prosthetics
that are controlled by the human mind.
 A famous example of a dependent robot was created by Johns Hopkins APL in 2018 for
Johnny Matheny, a patient whose arm was amputated above the elbow.
 Johnny Matheny was fitted with a modular prosthetic limb so researchers could study its use
over a sustained period.
 The MPL is controlled via electromyography, or signals sent from his amputated limb that
controls the prosthesis. Over time.
 Matheny became more efficient in controlling the MPL and the signals sent from his
amputated limb became smaller and less variable, leading to more accuracy in its
movements and allowing Matheny to perform tasks as delicate as playing the piano
 How Robots Will Shape the Future
1. Advancements in Automation:
• Efficiency: Robots will take over more tasks in industries, improving productivity.
2. Enhanced Human-Robot Collaboration:
• Assistive Technology: Robots will work alongside humans, assisting in complex and
dangerous tasks.
3. Medical Innovations:
• Precision Medicine: Robots will enable more precise surgeries and rehabilitation
techniques.
4. Exploration and Research:
• New Frontiers: Robots will continue to explore space and deep-sea environments,
expanding our knowledge.
5. Smart Cities:
• Urban Living: Robots will play roles in managing urban infrastructure and services,
contributing to smarter cities.
 Ethics in Robotics
1. Privacy Concerns:
• Surveillance: Robots equipped with cameras or sensors can raise issues about personal privacy and data
security.
• Data Use: How collected data is stored, used, and shared needs to be managed responsibly.
2. Job Displacement:
• Automation Impact: As robots take over tasks, there is a risk of displacing workers. This requires thoughtful
strategies for workforce transition and retraining.
3. Autonomous Decision-Making:
• Responsibility: When robots make decisions, especially in critical situations (like autonomous vehicles), who
is responsible for the outcomes?
4. Bias and Fairness:
• Algorithmic Bias: Robots and AI systems can inadvertently reflect biases present in their programming or
training data, leading to unfair outcomes.
5. Safety and Security:
• Malfunction Risks: Robots must be designed with safety protocols to prevent accidents. Additionally,
ensuring robots are secure from hacking is crucial.
6. Ethical Treatment:
• Human-Robot Interaction: As robots become more human-like, questions arise about how they should be
treated and what rights, if any, they should have.