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Assignment 2: Introduction to Robotics

What is Robotics?
Robotics is a part of mechatronics that deals with
the study of technology associated with the design,
manufacturing, application and operation of robots.

A robot is a physical mechanism or a virtual

artificial agent which has some ability to do a specific
action based on the given instruction. There is a
general misconception for the term robot to be
associated with humanoids, or robots in the form of
humans. Even arms, vehicles, or nanobots can be
classified as robots. The form does not determine
what a robot is.

History of Robots
The word robot was first introduced by a Czech writer Karel Capek in his stage
play, “R. U. R.” (Rossum’s Universal Robots). The story is about factory that
creates artificial people called robots, which can be mistaken for humans. Robot
came from a Czech word “robota” which literally means worker.

The word “robotics” which is used to describe the field of study was introduced
by a science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. In his book entitled “Runaround”, he
introduced the “Three Laws of Robotics”:
Law I Law II Law III
“A robot may not injure “A robot must obey any “A robot must protect
a human being or, orders given to it by its own existence as
through inaction, allow human beings, except long as such protection
a human being to come where such orders does not conflict with
to harm.” would conflict with the the First or Second
First Law.” Law.”
Components of Robots
Before a structure can be called a robot, it should be able to get data from the
user or from the environment. Apart from this, it should be able to interpret
those inputted data and generate the appropriate action. And, it should be able
to react or move from its current position.

With these criteria, a robot must have the following parts:

1. Sensors – These are devices that measure a physical quantity and convert it
into an appropriate signal or data which can be read by an instrument or by a
controller (ex. thermometer, light sensor, sound sensor).

Light sensor

Adapted from Techno Robot, Technokids, Inc., 2012

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2. Controllers – these are devices that manage, interpret, and control the
accepted data to create an action (ex. integrated circuits, LEGO NXT Controller).

Microcontroller

3. Actuators – it is a mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism

or system (ex. motor).

DC Servo Motor

Try This

Close your eyes and put your hands on your lap. While keeping your eyes closed,
slowly move one hand to reach for the mouse. Do this; you’ll see why soon. When
you try to move your hand towards the mouse, you will react when at least one
of your fingers has touched it or when your hands have partially held it. After
your hand touches the mouse, your hand will suddenly re-adjust its positioning
to fit over the mouse.

Explanation

At the time you move your hand towards the mouse, your use you muscle to
control its movement. Unlike humans, robots don’t have muscles to control its
movement, but instead it uses motors (Actuators). As your hand partially
touches the mouse, your hand will suddenly adjust its positioning. You have
used your touch sense to perfectly hold the mouse. Robots can detect objects
using Sensors. When the touch sensor of a robot is triggered, it will send data to
its chip (Microcontrollers) to perform its next action.

Robot Challenge 2 – Advance Research

This exercise is intended to familiarize with the questions involving robotics.

After answering these exercises, you should be able to better understand the
language of robotics.

1. What is artificial intelligence and what is fuzzy logic? How can it help in
the field of robotics?
2. The concept of dexterity normally applies to humans. Is it possible to
associate this word to machines as well? How do you think it can happen?
3. What is the difference between real-time and run-time?

Adapted from Techno Robot, Technokids, Inc., 2012

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4. Do you think there are laws of robots? Cite some cases where there is a
conflict between human and robots.
5. How important is it for robots to have gender? How can gendered robots
affect human life?
6. What is Prosthesis Bioengineer? How can it help persons with disabilities?

Assignment 3: Robotic Engineering Overview

Robotic engineering is an excellent way to introduce to you to integrated subject

areas such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. You will learn
about engineering careers and experience the same activities as professionals
solving real-world problem. You should get a chance to see how much fun it is
learning engineering this way.

Advantages of Robots

Multi-Tasking
Re-programmable
Quality
Accident Reduction
Low-capital vs. human labor
Works even in Hazardous environment

Disadvantages of Robots

Replacement for human labor

Unemployment capacity
Maintaining cost

Types of Robots

There are different types of robots depending on their function and classification.
A robot can have a simple machine to advance systems incorporating artificial
intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is defined as electronic decisions made by
robots which are programmed by humans. A robot can be classified as follows:

1. Manual Robots – These are robots that will not function unless controlled
by humans.

2. Sequential Robots – These are robots that are designed to perform series
of tasks in the same sequence and are commonly programmed to loop.

3. Sensate Robots – A type of robot that will only be triggered when it senses
something with its environment.

Adapted from Techno Robot, Technokids, Inc., 2012

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4. Smart Robots – These robots are considered to possess artificial

intelligence; they can also control a fleet of robots or robotic devices.

Robots on Land, Water, and Air

Robots on Land

Robots have helped humans may times. Many robots are used for research;
perform tasks that are too dull, dirty, subtle, or dangerous to human beings. A
robot can be programmed to mimic the movement of humans who can do various
jobs. To achieve the same position of a human, humanoid robots use positioning
rotary actuators.

Robots in Water

Although robots are weak against water, there are robots that can usually swim.
Under the development of various research laboratories, robots are developed to
have swimming capabilities. Scientists have developed robots with the
morphology of a fish which can be controlled to do various tasks for underwater
research.

A robot ship can be designed for security defense and built exclusively for the
purpose of combat in the sea. Robotic ships can also be controlled, even without
humans on board. There will be no more sleeping soldiers, medical services and
food services. Therefore, no life will be at risk. Imagine that there would only be
1 person who will control the security device and that would be the captain, no
one else. Even if the battleship is destroyed, the captain will survive.

Robots on Air

Robots are usually seen on land but there are also robots on air and even on
outer space.
Every robot is created to do a purpose. What if the purpose of the robot is to
secure the perimeter of an area? Since humans cannot teach birds to fly, move
around and report cases, engineers developed flying robots. Some robots are
made to mimic the morphology of insects, falling under the category of “micro-
robots”.

Adapted from Techno Robot, Technokids, Inc., 2012

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Robot Challenge 3 – Draw Some Robot

1. If you’re going to invent a robot, what kind of robot would it be? What are
the features of your robot that other robots don't have? Draw and label
your prototype robot. (short bond paper).

Robot Name:
Robot Description:
Robot Features:
-
-
-

Adapted from Techno Robot, Technokids, Inc., 2012