UNIT V

ROBOTICS AUTOMATION

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 NUTSHELL
• Introduction to Robotics
• History of Robotics
• Types of Robots
• Components of Robots
• Importance of Robots
• Automation
• Benefits of automation in Robotics
• Future of Automation in Robotics

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Introduction
• Field of Engineering and science.
• Deals with robot design, construction,
operation and use.
• Programmable machine to perform task.
• Automate process where humans cannot go
and do the task.
• Actions may be guided by humans, pre-
programmed instructions or artificial
intelligence.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
History of Robotics

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Ancient myths and early
automantons
Mythical robots - In Greek mythology, Talos was a
giant, life-like bronze man who protected the island
of Crete from invaders.
Early inventions – Around 300 BCE, Greek
mathematician Archytas built mechanical pigeon is
thought to be the first robot. It was powered by
steam and it flew upto 600ft. In China, Zhuge
Liang’s “Wooden ox” were used to move supplies
in battle.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Leonardo da vinci and Clockwork
automata
• Leonardo da Vinci – In 15th century, he sketched
design for mechanical knight that could sit, wave
and open its mouth.
• European automata – In 16th and 17th centuries,
European clockmakers created intricate
mechanical figures.
• Jaquet Droz automata – In 18th century, Swiss
watch maker Pierre Jaquet-Droz created
programmable mechanical dolls like “The Writer”
which could write.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Industrial revolution and early
robots
• Rise of automation – Industrial revolution
introduced machines in factories, such as
Jacquard’s loom in 1804.
• Mechanical automata for fun – In 19th
century, self operating dolls and animals
became popular for entertainment.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Early 20th Century
• The word Robot – In 1920, Czech writer
Karel Capek used the term Robot. The term
“robot” means forced labour.
• Westinghouse’s electro – One of the first US
robots made in 1939. This humanoid robot
could walk, talk, and smoke to showcase new
technology.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
• Asimov’s three laws – In 1940’s Isaac Asimov
created “Three Laws of Robotics”.
– First Law – A robot may not injure a human being
– Second Law – A robot must obey the orders given
to it by human beings except where such orders
would conflict with the First law.
– Third Law – A robot must protect its existence as
long as such protection does not conflict with First
or Second Law.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Mid 20th Century – Rise of industrial
robots
• Unimate – In 1954, George Devol and Joseph
Engelberger developed first industrial robot
“unimate”. It was installed in General Motors
in 1961 to perform repetitive task in factories.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
• Shakey – In 1960’s, Stanford Research
Institute created Shakey, first mobile robot to
use AI. Makes decision based on its
surroundings.
• PUMA arm – Designed in 1978, became
standard in industries, offering precise
movements for assembly.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Late 20th Century
• Social and mobile robots – In Late 1990’s
companies developed robots that could move and
interact with humans. Honda’s ASIMO could
walk and climb stairs.
• Space robotics – VIKING 1 in 1976 and Mars
Rovers explored Mars and gathered information.
• Surgical robots – In 2000, da vinci surgical
system enabled surgeons to perform complex
operations with the help of robots assistance.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
21st century – Advanced AI Robotics
• Service and personal robots – Robots like
“roomba” (a vacuum cleaner) and sophia (could
assist and interact with people).
• Autonomous vehicles – self driving cars by Tesla
and Waymo use robotics, AI and computer vision
to navigate in the roads independently.
• Humanoid robot – Advanced humanoid robot
can move, speak and identify faces using facial
recognition.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Types of Robots

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 1. Humanoid Robot
• Look like human.
• Mimic human behaviour.
• Human activities like running, jumping,
carrying objects.
• Two famous robots are Hanson Robotics –
Sophia and Boston Dynamics – Atlas.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Humanoid Robot
• Used as research tools in scientific area.
• First human robot was soldier with trumpet
made in 1810 by Friedrich Kaufmann in
Germany.
• Uses – Reduced labour cost, improves work
place safety.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 2. Industrial Robots
• Used for manufacturing purpose
• They are Automated, programmable and
capable of movement on three or more axes.
• Used to enhance productivity, safety, time
efficiency.
• Precise work, consistent work and high quality
results.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 3. Medical Robots
• Assists healthcare professionals like
physicians, nurses and technicians.
• Allows surgeons to manipulate surgical
instruments and to insert catheters inside
patients body.
• Surgeons can control the surgical instruments
with joysticks.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 4. Agricultural Robots
• Allows farmers to use their time and energy more
efficiently.
• They operate in greenhouses where they monitor crops
and helps with harvest.
• Agricultural robots ranges from autonomous tractors to
drones.
• They collect data to help farmers.
• They help in applying fertilizers and pesticides.
• They use GPS and other technologies to precisely plant
the seeds in the soil, ensuring optimal spacing and
depth.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 5. Microbots
• Study and development of robots on a
miniature scale.
• Not bigger than a millimeter.
• Biotechnology researchers use microbots to
diagonise, monitor and treat diseases.
• They are used to deliver drugs deep inside the
human organism.
• Small robots can reach places where a large
robots cannot.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 6. Software Robots
• Software bots or simply bots.
• These are computer programs which can carry
tasks independently.
• They are technically considered as robots.
• One common use of software robot is a
chatbot.
• They provide simple service that answer
questions with an automated response.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 7. Cobots
• Collaborative robots also known as cobot.
• Industrial robot that operate alongside humans
in a shared work space.
• These robots prioritize safety by using sensors.
• Monitors their surroundings, execute slow
movements and stops actions when there is
threat to humans.
• The first cobot was invented in 1996 by J
Edward Colgate and Michael Peshkin.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Components of Robots

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 1. Power source
• Batteries – Lithium ion batteries that could be
rechargeable. Used for mobile Robots.
• Solar panels – Designed for outdoor or remote
operations. These uses solar energy to generate
power.
• Direct power or generators – Used in
industrial Robot. For heavy Robots which
depends on electricity.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 2. Actuators
• Electric motors – DC and AC motors converts
electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• Hydraulic actuators – Used where heavy
force is required. Commonly used in
industries.
• Pnematic actuators – Used for lightweight or
simpler movements, ideal for small robots.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 3. Sensors
• Vision – Cameras for object detection and facial
recognition.
• Proximity and distance sensor – Uses IR sensors
to detect nearby objects or obstacles.
• Gyroscope – For balance, motion detection and
navigation.
• Force sensor – Enables robots to feel the amount
of pressure applied.
• Environmental sensor – Temp, light, sound to
monitor environmental conditions.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 4. Controller
• Serves as brain of the robot.
• Process sensors input, running algorithms and
sending instructions.
• May be Microcontroller, Microprocessor,
Embedded systems or any advanced processor.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 5. End effectors
• Grippers – Use to pick, hold or manipulate
objects (magnetic or vacuum).
• Suction cup – To handle smooth items by
creating vacuum seal.
• Specialized tools – Like scalpels or welding
torches.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 6. Locomotion system
• Wheels and tracks – Allows robots to move
efficiently.
– Wheels in smooth terrain.
– Tracks in uneven terrain.
• Legs – For climbing stairs or rough surfaces.
• Flying mechanism – Drones with propellers
use gyroscope and accelerometers for stability.
• Swimming mechanism – Underwater robots
use fins for navigation.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 7. Communication system
• Wired communication – Ethernet, High speed
data transfer.
• Wireless communication – Wi-fi, Bluetooth,
Zigbee.
• Cellular communication – For long distance
communication.
• Inter-robot communication – In swarm
robotics, robots used to communicate with
each other.
Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
8. Human Robot Interaction systems
• Voice recognition and speech generation – For
natural interaction and to respond to voice
command.
• Touch screens – Offers display information
useful in medical and service robots.
• Gestures and facial recognition – Uses AI to
recognize human gestures and facial
expressions and react accordingly.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 9. Physical devices and mechanical
structures
• Frames and chassis – Structural body built of
steel, aluminium or lightweight materials.
• Joints and links – Found in arms and legs used to
connect different parts.
• Gears and belts – Provides torque from motors to
other parts of the robot.
• Bearing and bushings – Reduce friction at joints
allows smooth movement.
• Shock absorbers – To reduce high impact on
robot.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Importance of Robotics

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
• Increased efficiency and productivity
– Perform task faster
– More consistent than human
– They can work continuously 24 x 7
• Improved quality and precision
– Ensures high level accuracy and consistency
– Reduces chance of human error so product quality improves
– Ensures uniformity
• Enhanced safety
– Can operate in hazardous environments
– Reducing the risk to human workers
– Capable to work in extreme climate conditions

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
• Cost reduction
– Initial investment is high.
– But for long term reducing labour cost.
– Reduced material waste
• Technological advancement
– Robotics drives progress in artificial intelligence.
– Leading to smarter and more capable systems
• Education and workforce development
– Promotes interest in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics.
– Studying robotics develops critical thinking and problem solving
skills

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
• Addressing labour shortage
– Can help reduce labour shortage
– Ensuring critical task to perform efficiently
– Also increase productivity level
• Sustainability and environmental impact
– Efficient resource management
– Optimize energy
– Optimize material use
– Reduce waste through precise manufacturing process.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
Automation

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Definition
• Refers to use of technology to perform task
without human intervention.
• Integrates robotic system with software and
control system.
• To carry complex and hazardous task
efficiently and accurately.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Fixed Automation
• Also known as hard automation.
• Involves use of specialized equipment to
automate specific set of tasks.
• Used in manufacturing process.
• Requires high initial investment.
• Less flexible.
• But give high production rate.
• Robots used in assembly lines for painting or
welding.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Flexible automation
• Also known as soft automation.
• Allows reprogramming of robots and
machinery to handle different tasks.
• Suitable for environments where production is
subject to change.
• Characteristics – Adaptable, cost effective.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Industrial automation
• Uses control system for operating equipment
in manufacturing industry.
• Enhanced safety – reduces risk to human
workers.
• Used for material handling to transport
materials.
• Automated welding machines.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Home automation
• Uses robots and smart technology to automate
various household tasks.
• Integration with smart devices.
• Aims to optimize energy in household
management.
• Automation of light, security systems, climate
control, vacuum cleaners, etc.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Autonomous Robots
• Capable of performing tasks without human
interaction.
• Uses advance AI and ML algorithms to make
decisions.
• Drones that autonomously survey land,
delivers packages based on GPS are some
examples.
• Autonomous vehicles without human input.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Remote automation
• Operating robots from a distance through
wireless technology.
• Used in hazardous environment where human
presence is unsafe.
• Robotic arms are remotely controlled for
surgeries in telemedicine applications.
• Inspection robots used in nuclear power plants.

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Benefits of automation in Robotics
• Increased productivity
• Cost savings
• Enhanced safety
• Flexibility
• Enhanced quality
• Optimized resource use
• Continuous production
• Quick response time
• Real time monitoring

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE
 Future of Robotics
• New technologies influencing Robotics
– Artificial intelligence
– Machine Learning
– IoT
– Human Robot Collaboration (Cobots)
– Cybersecurity
– Improved sensor technology
– Virtual reality and Augmented Reality

Dr.K.RAJMOHAN,AP/ECE