Introduction

With growing developments in the field of mechatronics and mathematic

modeling, robotics has come a long way. Now there are machines which are
capable of jumping from high-rise buildings, detecting landmines, performing
operations and troubleshooting.
History of Robotics
The term ‘robot’ got prominence in the 1950s. Issac Asimov introduced the laws of
robots and finally Eric Elenberger, who is considered as the father of robotics,
introduced real time robots to the world.
Meaning of Robotics
Robotics means the study and application of robot technology.
Robotics is a branch of engineering that involves conception, design, manufacture,
and operation of machines assigned for specific high precision and repetitive tasks.
Definition of a 'robot'?
"A reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts,
tools, or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the
performance of a variety of tasks".
Laws Of Robotics
Popular science fiction writer Isaac Asimov created the Three Laws of Robotics:
1. A robot must not injure a human being or through in action, allow a human
being to come to harm.
2. A robot must always obey orders given to it by a human being, except where it
would conflict with the first law.
3. A robot must protect it's own existence, except where it would conflict with the
first or second law.
Ask a number of people to describe a robot and most of them will answer they look
like a human. Interestingly a robot that looks like a human is probably the most
difficult robot to make. A robot needs to be functional and designed with qualities
that suits its primary tasks. It depends on the task at hand whether the robot is big,
small, able to move or nailed to the ground. Each and every task means different
qualities, form and function, a robot needs to be designed with the task in mind.

Robotics - Types of Robots

Mobile Robots
Rolling Robots
Walking Robots
Stationary Robots
Autonomous Robots
Remote-control Robots
Mobile Robots

Mobile robots are able to move, usually they perform task such as search areas. A
prime example is the Mars Explorer, specifically designed to roam the mars
surface. Mobile robots are a great help to such collapsed building for survivors.
Mobile robots are used for task where people cannot go. Either because it is too
dangerous of because people cannot reach the area that needs to be searched.
Mobile robots can be divided in two categories:
Rolling Robots

Rolling robots have wheels to move around. These are the type of robots that can
quickly and easily search move around. However they are only useful in flat areas,
rocky terrains give them a hard time.Flat terrains are their territory.
Walking Robots

Robots on legs are usually brought in when the terrain is rocky and difficult to
enter with wheels. Robots have a hard time shifting balance and keep them from
tumbling. That’s why most robots with have at least 4 of them, usually they have 6
legs or more. Even when they lift one or more legs they still keep their balance.
Development of legged robots is often modeled after insects or crawfish..
Stationary Robots

Robots are not only used to explore areas or imitate a human being. Most robots
perform repeating tasks without ever moving an inch. Most robots are ‘working’ in
industry settings. Especially dull and repeating tasks are suitable for robots.
A robot never grows tired, it will perform its duty day and night without ever
complaining. In case the tasks at hand are done, the robots will be reprogrammed
to perform other tasks..
Autonomous Robots

Autonomous robots are self supporting or in other words self contained. In a way
they rely on their own ‘brains’. Autonomous robots run a program that give them
the opportunity to decide on the action to perform depending on their surroundings.
At times these robots even learn new behavior. They start out with a short routine
and adapt this routine to be more successful at the task they perform. The most
successful routine will be repeated as such their behavior is shaped. Autonomous
robots can learn to walk or avoid obstacles they find in their way.

An autonomous robot is despite its autonomous not a very clever or intelligent

unit. The memory and brain capacity is usually limited, an autonomous robot can
be compared to an insect in that respect. In case a robot needs to perform more
complicated yet undetermined tasks an autonomous robot is not the right choice.
Remote control robots

Complicated tasks are still best performed by human beings with real brainpower.
A person can guide a robot by remote control. A person can perform difficult and
usually dangerous tasks without being at the spot where the tasks are performed.
To detonate a bomb it is safer to send the robot to the danger area.
Electronics
Like all robots they also contain electronics. Without electronic circuits the engines
cannot be controlled. Lots of Beam Robots also use solar power as their main
source of energy.
Mechanics
In contrast with expensive big robots BEAM robots are cheap, simple, built out of
recycled material and running on solar energy.

Components of ROBOTS

• Structure
• Power source
• Actuation
• Sensing
• Manipulation
• Locomotion

Structure
The structure of a robot is usually mostly mechanical and can be called a kinematic
chain. The chain is formed of links (its bones), actuators (its muscles), and joints
which can allow one or more degrees of freedom.
Power source
• Suitable power supply is needed to run the motors and associated circuitry
• Typical power requirement ranges from 3V to 24V DC
• 220V AC supply must be modified to suit the needs of our machine
• Batteries can also be used to run robots
• Robots are driven by different motors :-
o DC Motors
o Stepper Motors
o Servo Motors

Actuation
Actuators are the "muscles" of a robot, the parts which convert stored energy into
movement.
The most popular actuators are electric motors.
Manipulation
Robots which must work in the real world require some way to manipulate objects;
pick up, modify, destroy, or otherwise have an effect. Thus the 'hands' of a robot
are often referred to as end effectors, while the arm is referred to as a manipulator.
• Some manipulators are:
o Mechanical Grippers
o Vacuum Grippers
o General purpose effectors
Locomotion
• It is concerned with the motion of the robot.
• Robot contains different types of drives:-
o Differential drive
o Car type
o Skid steer drive
o Synchronous drive
o Pivot drive
o Articulated drive

Robotics Applications
1. Rob surgery

Robots are increasingly being used during certain types of microsurgery. This lets
surgeons perform delicate procedures that would otherwise be too fine for human
hands.
Assisted with tactile/feedback sensors, the surgeon can ‘feel’ the tissues
underneath the robot instruments.
2. Robots in danger zones
Robots form an important part of landmines and bomb detection squads in many
countries. Besides such land combining operations, the robots go deep down the
earth’s crust where temperatures are unbearable and also search for buried
treasures in the deepest of oceans and sometimes work in nuclear reactors. The
very purpose of deploying robots is to shield humans from hazards.
3. AIBO—The robot pup
When one thinks about robots, AIBO is the name that comes across everyone’s
mind. AIBO can express emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, etc. and
definitively makes a wonderful companion.
This robot pup responds to your voice commands with flashing lights and sounds.
The newer versions promise more interaction and far better responses with the
sensors corresponding to the senses of humans and animals.
4. Humanoid robots
When it comes to human resemblance, one can just marvel at Honda’s ASIMO and
Sony’s SDR-3X and now the more advanced SDR-4X. These humanoid robots
walk on two feet with amazing grace, replicating the walking movements of
humans.
Sony’s SDR-4X has advanced features such as the ability to remember faces and
recognize emotions from facial features in addition to improved voice and speech
recognition and technology.
Advantages of robotics

You can send them to very dangerous places

They are more accurate than humans
Can guard without being tired
No need of nutrients
You can programme them to make them do exactly what you want them to do
They can not harm you unless they are programmed to
can work with out doubts
They can lift very heavy things
Revolution in Medical science and Health care systems.
New & wide scope in Education & Training.
A good help in Nuclear industry.
Used tremendously in Sports activities.
Play the role of an efficient assistance in Research and Development sciences.
Can very well handle household business.
Disadvantages of robotics
They can ruin peoples lives. Eg- Take their job away from them
They are very expensive to make
You need the right materials to make them, that could be very rare
If you make a very amazing robot with amazing quality and it brakes, it might be
very hard to fix
They can be very hard to programme
They can reproduce but it could cost money for the materials
You need highly trained people to make them
They can not recharge themselves

Problems With Robotics

Yes there are problems. As with any machine, robots can even cause disaster. They
are powerful machines that we allow to control certain things. When something
goes wrong, terrible things can happen. Luckily, this is rare because robotic
systems are designed with many safety features that limit the harm they can do.
There's also the problem of evil people using robots for evil purposes. This is true
today with other forms of technology such as weapons, and biological material. Of
course, robots could be used in future wars.

This could be good or bad. If humans perform their agressive acts by sending
machines out to fight other machines, that would be better than sending humans
out to fight other humans. Teams of robots could be used to defend a country
against attacks while limiting human casualties. Could future wars really just be a
video game that drives robots?

The Impact Of Robotics On Society

Since robots are used mainly in manufacturing, we see their impact in the products
we use every day. Ususally this results in a cheaper product. Robots are also used
in cases where it can do a better job than a human such as surgery where high
precision is a benefit. And, robots are used in exploration in dangerous places such
as in volcanos which allows us to learn without endangering ourselves.
Future prospects

• Scientists say that it is possible that a robot brain will exist by 2019 .

• Vernor Vinge has suggested that a moment may come when computers and
robots are smarter than humans.

• In 2009, some robots acquired various forms of semi-autonomy, including

being able to find power sources on their own.

• The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence has

researched on this problem.

Conclusion

Today we find most robots working for people in industries, factories, warehouses,
and laboratories. Robots are useful in many ways. Robots can do jobs better and
faster than humans can, e.g. robot can built, assemble a car. Yet robots cannot
perform every job; today robots roles include assisting research and industry.

Finally, as the technology improves, there will be new ways to use robots which
will bring new hopes and new potentials.
Reference
www.studymafia.org
www.wikipedia.com
www.google.com