Introduction to Robotics What is a Robot An

Introduction to Robotics

What is a Robot? “An automatic device that performs functions normally ascribed to humans or a machine in the form of a human. ” -- Webster’s Dictionary

What is 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. ” -- Robot Institute of America (1979)

Origin’s of “Robot” • Karel Capec’s play Rossum’s Universal Robots (1921) – His “machines” turned against their creators, as in so many stories • Comes from robota, which means “forced labor”

Isaac Asimov • “Robotics” first used in Runaround, short story published in 1942. • I, Robot published in 1950 – Contained a number of short stories written in the 40’s • All of Asimov’s robot stories found in The Complete Robot

Essential Characteristics • Sensing Ability – Robot is able to sense its surroundings. • Movement – Robot is able to move around its environment. • Energy – Robots is able to power itself • Intelligence – A robot needs some kind of “smarts. ”

Technical Areas of Robotics • Robotics is an interdisciplinary field – It encompasses many different ideas and topics of study

Robotics: An Interdisciplinary Field

First Robot: Unimate • Joseph Engelberger started a manufacturing company called “Unimation” in 1956 • First Unimate installed in General Motor factory to work with heated die-casting machines.

Uses of Robots In Society • Industrial Uses • Commercial Uses • Residential Uses – Recreational

Honda’s ASIMO • Debuted in 2000 as first humanoid robot http: //world. honda. com/HDTV/ news/2005 -c 051213/

Classifying Robots • The following definitions make it possible to classify most types of robots: – A machine that can sense its environment, process information from its sensors and other internal information, decide what to do next and execute that decision will be called a robot. – A robot that can move using wheels, legs, or other means with onboard power supply can be called a mobile robot.

Classifying Robots cont… – A robot that can operate without the assistance of a human is said to be autonomous. • Consequently, autonomy literally means ‘self law’ and so the degree of autonomy refers to the extent to which the robot’s behavior is subject to its own law or its own “free will”. – A robot that can perform its functions in the presence of uncertainty is intelligent.

References • http: //www. robotics. utexas. edu/rrg/learn_ more/history/ • Wise, Edwin. Applied Robotics, 1999