WOLAITA SODO UNIVERSITY

SOCHOOL OF INFORMATICS

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS

A Seminar Report

On

ROBOTS

BY

Tsegaye Tekalign

Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

Feb, 23, 2024 G.C
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
ROBOTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1.1 What is Robots? ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 How Robots was developed and who are the contributors ............................................................... 2
1.2.1 How robots was developed .............................................................................................................. 2
1.2.3 who are the contributors Robots ...................................................................................................... 2
1.3 How Robots works ................................................................................................................................ 3
1.3.1 Hardware Components:.................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.2 Software Control: ............................................................................................................................. 3
1.3.3 Autonomy Levels: ............................................................................................................................ 3
1.4. Advantages and Disadvantage of Robots ........................................................................................... 3
1.4.1 Advantages of robots ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.4.2 Disadvantages of Robots .................................................................................................................. 4
1.5. Areas of Applications Robots .............................................................................................................. 4
1.6 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.7 Reference ................................................................................................................................................... 5

i
Seminar Report

Chapter 1

ROBOTS
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Robots are autonomous or semi-autonomous machines that can perform tasks or actions typically
done by humans. They are equipped with sensors, actuators, and a control system that allows them
to interact with their environment and execute programmed tasks.

The concept of robots dates back to ancient times, with early examples found in Greek mythology
and ancient Chinese and Egyptian texts. The term "robot" was first introduced in the 1920 play
"R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Czech writer Karel Čapek. The modern development of
robots began in the mid-20th century, with significant contributions from researchers such as
George Devol and Joseph Engelberger, who created the first industrial robot in the 1950s. Since
then, robots have evolved significantly in terms of capabilities, [1]

Robots work by receiving input from sensors, processing that information through a control system,
and then using actuators to perform physical actions. They can be programmed to perform a wide
range of tasks, from simple repetitive actions to complex decision-making processes. Today 90% of
all robots used are found in factories and they are referred to as industrial robots.[2]

1.1.1 What is Robots?

When you mention "Robots," you're likely referring to different things depending on the context.
Let's break it down:

Robots in Fiction:

When we talk about "Robots" in movies, books, or other forms of entertainment, we often think of
intelligent machines that can perform tasks autonomously. Think of famous robots like R2-D2 and
C-3PO from Star Wars, or the Terminator from the movie franchise.

Robots in Reality:

In reality, robots are mechanical or virtual artificial agents, typically guided by a computer program
or electronic circuitry, designed to perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. These can
range from industrial robots used in manufacturing to robotic vacuum cleaners for household
chores.

Robotics as a Field:

"Robotics" refers to the interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that deals with the
design, construction, operation, and use of robots.

Web Robots/Crawlers:

On the web, you might have heard of "Web Robots" or "Web Crawlers." These are automated
programs that browse the web, typically for indexing purposes (like search engines) or to perform
specific tasks.
Robots Page 1
Seminar Report

So, depending on the context, "Robots" can mean different things! If you want to dive deeper into
any of these areas or have a specific question, feel free to ask!

1.2 How Robots was developed and who are the contributors

The development of robots involves a combination of technological advancements,

interdisciplinary research, and innovation across various fields. Here's an overview of how robots
have evolved and continue to develop:

1.2.1 How robots was developed

Robots have been developed through a combination of advancements in various fields such as
engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The development of robots can
be traced back to the early 20th century with the creation of simple mechanical devices that could
perform basic tasks.

Over time, robots have evolved to become more sophisticated and capable of performing complex
tasks with the help of advancements in technologies such as sensors, actuators, and programming
languages. The field of robotics has also benefited from research in artificial intelligence, which has
enabled robots to learn from their environment and make decisions autonomously.

Today, robots are used in a wide range of industries and applications, including manufacturing,
healthcare, agriculture, and space exploration. The development of robots continues to progress
rapidly, with researchers working on creating more advanced and versatile robots that can interact
with humans in a natural and intuitive way.

1.2.3 who are the contributors Robots

Many individuals and organizations have contributed to the development of robots over the years.
Some notable contributors in the field of robotics include:

1. Joseph Engelberger: Known as the "Father of Robotics," Engelberger was a pioneer in

industrial robotics and co-founded the world's first robot manufacturing company, Unimation, in
1956.

2. George Devol: Co-inventor of the first industrial robot, the Unimate, with Joseph Engelberger.
Devol's work laid the foundation for modern robotics in manufacturing.

3. Rodney Brooks: A roboticist and co-founder of iRobot Corporation, Brooks is known for his
work on mobile robots and artificial intelligence. He also founded Rethink Robotics, which
developed collaborative robots for industrial applications.

4. Hiroshi Ishiguro: A prominent roboticist known for his work in developing humanoid robots,
Ishiguro has created lifelike androids that mimic human behavior and appearance.

5. Cynthia Breazeal: A pioneer in social robotics, Breazeal is known for creating robots that can
interact with humans in natural and intuitive ways. She founded the Personal Robots Group at the
MIT Media Lab.

Robots Page 2
Seminar Report

1.3 How Robots works

The inner workings of robots are fascinating! In a nutshell, robots operate through a combination of
hardware components for physical movement and sensing, along with software programs for
decision-making and control. Here's a breakdown of how robots work:

1.3.1 Hardware Components:

1. Sensors: Robots are equipped with various sensors like cameras, LiDAR, ultrasonic sensors, and
more to perceive their environment. These sensors provide input data that the robot uses to make
decisions.

2. Actuators: Actuators are mechanisms responsible for robot movement. These can include motors,
servos, pneumatic systems, or hydraulic systems that physically manipulate the robot's parts.

3. Manipulators: Robotic arms or manipulators have joints and end effectors to perform tasks like
lifting objects, assembly, or precise movements.

1.3.2 Software Control:

1. Control Algorithms: Robots rely on control algorithms to process sensor data, make decisions,
and control actuators. These algorithms can be simple for basic robots or complex for autonomous
systems.

2. Programming: Robots are programmed using different languages like Python, C++, or
specialized robot programming languages. These programs dictate how the robot should behave in
various situations.

3. Decision-Making: Based on sensor inputs and programmed instructions, robots make decisions
on tasks to perform, movements to execute, or responses to the environment.

1.3.3 Autonomy Levels:

1. Teleoperated: Some robots are teleoperated, meaning they are controlled by a human operator
remotely using joysticks, controllers, or interfaces.

2. Semi-Autonomous: Semi-autonomous robots can perform tasks with some degree of autonomy
but may still require human intervention or guidance in complex situations.

3. Autonomous: Fully autonomous robots can operate without human intervention, using sensors,
algorithms, and programming to navigate, interact with the environment, and perform tasks
independently.

1.4. Advantages and Disadvantage of Robots

1.4.1 Advantages of robots
1. Efficiency: Robots can work continuously without getting tired, leading to increased
productivity and efficiency.

Robots Page 3
Seminar Report

2. Accuracy: Robots can perform tasks with high precision and accuracy, reducing errors and
improving quality.

3. Safety: Robots can be used in hazardous environments or dangerous tasks, protecting human
workers from potential harm.

4. Cost-effectiveness: While the initial cost of implementing robots may be high, they can
ultimately save money by reducing labor costs and increasing production output.

1.4.2 Disadvantages of Robots

1. Initial cost: The upfront cost of purchasing and implementing robots can be expensive, making
it difficult for small businesses to invest in this technology.

2. Job displacement: As robots become more advanced and capable of performing tasks that were
previously done by humans, there is a risk of job displacement and unemployment.

3. Maintenance and repair: Robots require regular maintenance and repair to ensure they function
properly, which can be costly and time-consuming.

1.5. Areas of Applications Robots

1. Manufacturing: Robots are commonly used in manufacturing processes for tasks such as
assembly, welding, painting, and material handling.

2. Healthcare: Robots are used in healthcare settings for tasks such as surgery, rehabilitation, and
patient care assistance.

3. Agriculture: Robots are used in agriculture for tasks such as planting, harvesting, and crop
monitoring.

4. Logistics and warehousing: Robots are used in warehouses and distribution centers for tasks
such as picking and packing orders, inventory management, and transportation of goods.

5. Construction: Robots are used in construction for tasks such as bricklaying, demolition, and site
inspection It can be hard on ones physic and can cause health problems for the worker.[3]

6. Defense and security: Robots are used in defense and security applications for tasks such as
bomb disposal, surveillance, and search and rescue missions some of these applications will be
elaborated.[2]

1.6 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, robots are autonomous or semi-autonomous machines designed to perform tasks

traditionally carried out by humans.

Robots Page 4
Seminar Report

The development of robots has evolved over time, with early robots being simple mechanical
devices and modern robots incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence,
machine learning, and computer vision. Advantages of robots include increased efficiency,
precision, and productivity in tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or require high accuracy.[1]

Areas of application for robots are diverse and include manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture,
logistics, defense, and entertainment. In manufacturing, robots are used for assembly, welding,
painting, and quality control. In healthcare, robots assist in surgeries, rehabilitation, and patient
care. In agriculture, robots help with planting, harvesting, and monitoring crops. Overall, robots
play a crucial role in advancing technology and improving various aspects of human life.[4]

1.7 Reference

[1] ‘A_history_of_robots_From_science_fiction_to_surgic (1).pdf’.

[2] ‘appln.pdf’.
[3] ‘Shakhatreh_Fareed.pdf’.
[4] ‘John-J.Craig-Introduction-to-Robotics-Mechanics-and-Control-3rd-edition-Pearson-
Education-Inc.-2005.pdf’.

Robots Page 5