Robotics is one of the most rapidly growing industries at present. There are many institutes, Coaching centers, and other sources that can guide you, teach you, and also give you the required training so you can play with components and make some unique projects.
But the main concern is that not all are up to the mark. That’s why we are here to provide you with a solid base on this subject. That will make you capable of knowing and understanding things better about this field. You will be able to make some amazing projects and also can check what you are learning at your center. With this hope, here we are with the first chapter: Introduction of Robotics, Law, History & Embedded System
Table of Contents
What Is Robotics?
Well, this is a very simple and basic question and everyone needs to know the answer to this question. The term “Robotics” is a combination of three things i.e.
Electronics + Mechanics + Programming
In Simple words When the electronic components are combined with some of the mechanics part and when the programming is done on them, then a robot will be formed.
As per the technical terms, robotics is defined as the branch of technology that deals with the design, programming, construction, and application of robots.
A robot is a device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks. Washing Machines, Microwave-oven, Automatic dishwashers, Toys, etc. are some of the Common robots used in our home, An RC circuit consists of a resistor and a capacitor which are connected in series with an AC source. And we have been using them for years.
The word robotics is used to collectively define a field in engineering that covers various human characteristics.
Karel Capek is a Czech novelist who given the term “Robot” in the year 1920. The robot in Czech is a term which is given to the servant or worker.
Types Of Robots
Robots come in various types and classifications, each designed to perform specific tasks or functions. Here’s an overview of the main types of robots:
1. Industrial Robots
These robots are used in manufacturing and production environments. They are typically designed for tasks such as assembly, welding, painting, and material handling.
- Articulated Robots: These robots have rotary joints and can range from simple two-joint structures to complex systems with ten or more interacting joints.
- SCARA Robots: Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) robots are used for pick-and-place tasks, assembly operations, and handling machine tools.
- Delta Robots: These robots have a dome-shaped work area and are often used for high-speed pick-and-place tasks.
2. Service Robots
Service robots assist humans by performing useful tasks for them, usually in non-industrial environments.
- Domestic Robots: These are household robots, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, and window cleaners.
- Medical Robots: These include surgical robots, rehabilitation robots, and robots that assist with patient care and transportation.
- Entertainment Robots: Robots designed for amusement and leisure activities, such as robotic pets and toy robots.
3. Mobile Robots
Mobile robots can move around in their environment and are often used for transportation and logistics.
- Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs): Used in warehouses and factories for transporting goods.
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): More advanced than AGVs, AMRs can navigate dynamic environments and avoid obstacles.
- Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles used for various applications such as surveillance, delivery, and aerial photography.
4. Humanoid Robots
Humanoid robots are designed to resemble and mimic human behavior and appearance. They are often used for research, personal assistance, and entertainment.
- Bipedal Robots: Robots that walk on two legs, like Honda’s ASIMO.
- Social Robots: These robots interact with humans in a social setting, designed to engage in conversations and provide companionship, like SoftBank’s Pepper.
5. Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
Cobots are designed to work alongside humans in a shared workspace. They are used to perform tasks that require human-robot collaboration, such as in assembly lines where they can handle repetitive tasks while humans handle more complex operations.
6. Exploration Robots
These robots are used for exploring environments that are inhospitable or inaccessible to humans.
- Space Robots: Such as the Mars rovers, are designed for space exploration.
- Underwater Robots: Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) used for underwater exploration and data collection.
7. Swarm Robots
Swarm robots consist of large numbers of simple robots that work together to perform complex tasks. They are inspired by the behavior of social insects like bees and ants.
8. Wearable Robots (Exoskeletons)
Wearable robots, or exoskeletons, are devices that humans can wear to enhance their strength, dexterity, or endurance. They are used in medical rehabilitation, industrial applications, and the military.
9. Educational Robots
These robots are designed to help teach subjects such as programming, robotics, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts. Examples include LEGO Mindstorms and VEX Robotics kits.
10. Military and Defense Robots
These robots are used in defense applications, including bomb disposal robots, surveillance drones, and unmanned ground vehicles.
Each type of robot is tailored to its specific application, with varying degrees of autonomy, mobility, and functionality.
History of Robot
- The name of the first industrial robot is UNIMATE.
- In 1954, the first programmable robot was designed by George Devol, who coined the term “Universal Automation.” Devol later shortened the name to Unimation, which became the first robot company in 1962. The UNIMATE robot originally automated the manufacturing process of TV picture tubes, revolutionizing the production line by performing repetitive tasks with precision and reliability.
- In 1978, Unimation, with design support from General Motors, developed the PUMA (Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly) robot. PUMA robots became a cornerstone in industrial automation, capable of performing a wide range of tasks with high accuracy, and were instrumental in the automotive and electronics industries.
In the 1980s, a revolution in robotics began, marked by significant advancements in technology and increased adoption across various industries. This period saw the emergence of more sophisticated robots and the development of new applications beyond industrial use. Many educational institutions started offering programs and courses dedicated to robotics, fostering a new generation of engineers and researchers in the field.
Key milestones in the history of robots include:
- 1921: The term “robot” was first used in Karel Čapek’s play “R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots),” derived from the Czech word “robota,” meaning forced labor.
- 1942: Isaac Asimov introduced the Three Laws of Robotics in his short story “Runaround,” which became fundamental principles in the field of robotics.
- 1961: The first UNIMATE robot was installed at a General Motors plant in New Jersey, marking the beginning of industrial robotics.
- 1969: Victor Scheinman at Stanford University developed the Stanford Arm, an all-electric, six-axis articulated robot arm, which laid the foundation for modern robotic manipulators.
- 1979: The SCARA (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) robot was invented by Hiroshi Makino at Yamanashi University in Japan, providing a flexible and precise option for assembly tasks.
- 1996: The birth of the first robot designed for the consumer market, iRobot’s Roomba, which revolutionized domestic cleaning with its autonomous vacuuming capabilities.
- 2000s: Advances in AI and machine learning led to the development of robots capable of more complex and autonomous behaviors, including self-driving cars and sophisticated service robots.
The continuous evolution of robotics has led to innovations in various fields, including healthcare, where surgical robots like the Da Vinci system are used for minimally invasive procedures, and space exploration, with robots like the Mars rovers providing invaluable data about other planets.
Robotics continues to advance rapidly, integrating more advanced artificial intelligence, improving interaction with humans, and expanding into new industries and applications, making it a pivotal technology in shaping the future.
Laws Of Robotics
The Laws of Robotics, formulated by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, are a set of rules devised to ensure ethical behavior and safe interaction between robots and humans. Originally, Asimov proposed three laws in his 1942 short story “Runaround,” which became a fundamental framework in robotics and AI ethics. Later, a “Zeroth Law” was introduced to address broader ethical concerns.
The Four Laws of Robotics
Law 0 (Zeroth Law): A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.
Introduced in Asimov’s later works, the Zeroth Law takes precedence over the original three laws. It expands the ethical considerations from individual humans to humanity as a whole, addressing scenarios where a robot’s actions might benefit humanity even if they cause harm to specific individuals.
Law 1: A robot may not harm a human being, or, by inaction, allow a human being to come to harm, unless this would violate the Zeroth Law.
This law ensures that robots prioritize human safety above all else, preventing them from harming humans or allowing harm through inaction. This foundational rule is crucial for maintaining trust and safety in human-robot interactions.
Law 2: A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the Zeroth Law or the First Law.
This law mandates obedience to human commands, emphasizing the subservient role of robots. However, it includes a critical exception: robots must disregard orders if obeying them would violate the Zeroth or First Law, ensuring that human safety and well-being are never compromised.
Law 3: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the Zeroth Law, the First Law, or the Second Law.
This law allows robots to protect their own existence, which is essential for their continued function and utility. However, this self-preservation is subordinate to the higher-order laws, ensuring that a robot’s survival does not come at the expense of human safety or ethical considerations.
Historical Impact and Modern Relevance
Asimov’s Laws of Robotics have profoundly influenced both science fiction and real-world discussions on AI ethics. They provide a speculative yet foundational framework for developing safe and ethical AI systems. In contemporary AI and robotics, these laws inspire guidelines and principles aimed at ensuring that advanced technologies benefit humanity without causing harm.
While current AI systems are far from possessing the capabilities envisioned by Asimov, his laws remain a touchstone in discussions about the ethical design and deployment of intelligent systems. Researchers and ethicists continue to explore ways to integrate these principles into modern AI to address concerns about autonomy, safety, and ethical behavior.
What Is an Embedded System?
Before starting this topic, let’s clarify what is meant by a system.
A system is defined as a way of working, organizing, or performing one or many tasks according to a fixed set of rules, programs, or plans.
An embedded system is a combination of hardware and software designed for a specific function or set of functions within a larger system. Unlike general-purpose computers, which are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, embedded systems are optimized for particular applications. They are integral parts of various devices and are dedicated to managing specific operations of those devices.
Characteristics of Embedded Systems
- Dedicated Functionality: Embedded systems are designed to perform a particular task or set of tasks, often with real-time computing constraints.
- Real-Time Operation: Many embedded systems operate in real-time, meaning they must respond to inputs and perform their functions within a specified time frame.
- Resource Constraints: These systems often operate with limited resources such as memory, processing power, and energy consumption.
- Reliability and Stability: Embedded systems are typically required to operate continuously and reliably over long periods.
- Small Form Factor: Embedded systems are usually compact and integrated into the devices they control.
Components of Embedded Systems
Hardware:
- Microcontroller/Microprocessor: The brain of the system that executes instructions.
- Memory: Includes ROM (Read-Only Memory) for storing firmware and RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporary data storage.
- Input/Output Interfaces: Sensors, actuators, and communication ports to interact with the external environment.
- Power Supply: Ensures the system has a consistent power source to operate.
Software:
- Firmware: Low-level software programmed into the read-only memory, providing control, monitoring, and data manipulation.
- Operating System: Some embedded systems use a real-time operating system (RTOS) to manage hardware resources and execute tasks.
- Application Software: The specific program or set of programs that perform the intended functions of the embedded system.
Examples of Embedded Systems
- Industrial Machines: Control systems for manufacturing processes, robotics, and automation.
- Automobiles: Engine control units (ECUs), anti-lock braking systems (ABS), airbag controllers, and infotainment systems.
- Medical Equipment: Devices like pacemakers, MRI machines, and patient monitoring systems.
- Consumer Electronics: Digital cameras, televisions, and gaming consoles.
- Household Appliances: Microwaves, washing machines, and refrigerators with embedded controls.
- Aerospace: Avionics, navigation systems, and control systems in airplanes.
- Vending Machines: Control systems for inventory management, payment processing, and product dispensing.
- Toys: Interactive toys and educational robots.
Importance and Applications
Embedded systems play a crucial role in modern technology by enabling the development of smart, efficient, and reliable devices across various industries. They are foundational to the Internet of Things (IoT), where interconnected devices communicate and perform tasks autonomously. In industrial automation, embedded systems enhance efficiency and precision, while in healthcare, they improve the accuracy and functionality of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
Embedded systems continue to evolve with advancements in microelectronics, software engineering, and communication technologies, paving the way for more sophisticated and capable devices that enhance our daily lives and industrial processes.
That’s all for today. If you have any questions or queries just use the comment section. Don’t forget to like share and subscribe. In our next post, we will deal with the microcontrollers and microprocessors. Later we will merge all down.
References:
- Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unimate
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Generic-Block-Diagram-of-Embedded-System-For-instance-every-embedded-system-contains-a_fig1_268391174