Class VII (Session 2023-24)
Sub-Computer
Lesson Plan -10
Topic-: Introduction to Robotics:
Link 1-: What is Robotics?
Link 2-: Types of Robots
Link 3-: Introduction to Robotics (Robotics Basics)
Link 4-: Components of a Robot
History
The term “robot” was first used in 1920 in a play called “Russum’s universal
robots” by the Czech writer Karpel Capek.
The word “Robot” comes from the word “Robota” meaning forced labour.
Robotics Terminology
Robot: Mechanical device that performs human tasks, either automatically or
by remote control
Robotics: Study and application of robot technology
Telerobotics: Robots that is operated remotely
Definition
A machine that looks and acts like a human being, it can do the work of a
person automatically or under the control of a computer.
Laws of Robotics
Asimov proposed three “Laws of Robotics”
Law 1: A robot may not injure a human being or through inaction, allow a
human being to come to harm.
Law 2: A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where
such orders would conflict with the first law.
Law 3: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does
not conflict with the first law.
Types Of Robots
1. Industrial Robots:
Material handling
Welding
Inspection
Improving productivity
Laboratory applications
2. Mobile Robots
Robots that move around on legs, tracks or wheels.
3. Educational Robots
Robotics kits are used extensively in education.
Eg-Robolab, Lego and RoboCup Soccer
4. Domestic Robots
There are 2 types of domestic robots-those designed to perform household
tasks and modern toys which are programmed to do things like talking,
walking and dancing etc.
Robot Components
Manipulator: Main body of robot (Links, Joints, other structural element of
the robot)
End Effector: The part that is connected to the last joint hand of a
manipulator.
Actuators: Muscles of the manipulators (servomotor, stepper motor,
pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder)
Sensors: To collect information about the internal state of the robot or to
communicate with the outside environment.
Controller: Similar to cerebellum. It controls and coordinates the motion of
the actuators.
Processor: The brain of the robot. It calculates the motions and the velocity
of the robot’s joints, etc.
Software: Operating system, robotic software and the collection of routines
Sensors
Sensors provide awareness of the environment by sensing things. Sensors are
the core of robots. It is the system that alerts the robots.
Sensing can be in different forms like –
• Light
• Sound
• Heat
• Chemicals
• Force
• Object Proximity
• Physical Position
• Magnetic & Electric Fields
• Resistance
End Effectors
In robotics, an end effector is the device at the end of a robotic arm, designed
to interact with the environment.
End effectors may consist of a gripper or a tool. The gripper can be of two
fingers, three fingers or even five fingers.
Actuators
Locomotion-
1 Legs
2 Wheels
3 Other Exotic means
Manipulations-
1 Degree of freedom- independently controllable components of motion
Each plane in which a robot can maneuver
Rotate base of arm
Pivot base of arm
Bend Elbow
Wrist up and down
Wrist left and right
Rotate wrist
2 Arms
Convenient method to allow full movement in 3D
More often used in fixed robots due to power and weight
3 Grippers
may be very simple (2 rigid arms) to pick up objects
may be complex device with fingers on end of an arm
Purpose of Robots
1. Dirty Tasks
2. Repetitive Tasks
3. Dangerous Tasks
4. Impossible Tasks
5. Robots assisting the handicapped
6. Can operate equipments at much higher precision than numbers
7. Cheaper on a long-term basis
Robotics Application
1. Space Missions
2. Robots in the Antarctic
3. Exploring Volcanoes
4. Underwater Exploration
5. Surgical assistant
6. Security (Bomb disposal etc.)
7. Home help (grass cutting, nursing etc.)
Exercise-:
1. Define Robot.
2. Mention three laws of Robotics.
3. Mention different types of robots.
4. What is an end-effector?
5. What is the work of a sensor?
6. What are Actuators?
7. Mention different purpose of Robots.
8. Mention different Robotics Application.
