What You Need To Know About Robots

The first instance of a modern robot was the equipment that was visible in clocks kept in medieval churches. This was an innovative discovery of clever watchmakers of those times who applied the theory of automation into practice. The word “robot” is derived from the Czech word “Robota”, which means “compulsory labor.” Karel Capek, a Czech author and dramatist first used this term in his 1921 play, Rossum's Universal Robots. Since then, the term has been used to refer to any equipment that accomplishes tasks with a great degree of ease; these tasks are often the sort that a human being may find complicated or undesirable.

Robot is also a term used to classify appliances that resemble human beings. The earliest robots used a feedback control mechanism and this technology is still in use today. The first known usage of this program was in the robot called Watt Governor, which was created in 1788, by a Scottish engineer, James Watt.

Robots are monitored and controlled by a computer. The software program in a robot enables it to move, maneuver things and complete tasks with precision. Robots are very productive when a job involves monotonous repetitive tasks. Robots are popular for this very reason. They can perform repetitive jobs faster and more efficiently than human beings and are inexpensive as their maintenance costs is much lesser than the recurring costs of labor.

With expansion in technology, dedicated equipment was invented to enact specific human actions. For instance, robots have been developed to simulate the human arm and its actions. However, these products were not robust and were not successful in replicating the human arm movements. This limited the output of these appliances. The emergence of multi-jointed artificial robots paved the way for modern robots. Robots are used in military, space exploration and outer space journeys, as well as hauling and transportation. Robots also have medical applications and are used in all sorts of mechanized industries. With the increase in demand for automation, various types of robots have been invented. This includes Cartesian, gantry, cylindrical, spherical, polar, articulated, SCARA and parallel robots. Though robot technology has not matched the expectations generated by the initial euphoria of scientists, it is constantly evolving through innovation and research.

Robotic Arms and Robotics

The word robot comes from the Czech word "robota", meaning "forced labor." The stuff of science fiction robotics in the 21st century is different than your parents or your grandparents’ ideas of robotics. What used to be thought of as futuristic improbability is now becoming a reality.

There are, theoretically, three Laws of Robotics. The Laws of Robotics were developed by a small group of scientists who believe that robotics is the wave of the future. The first law, referred to as law zero, is that a robot may not injure humanity, or, though inaction, allow humanity to come to harm. The second law states that a robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm, unless this would violate a higher order law. This law was created so that mankind would seek not to create robots that would harm people. The third law is that a robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with a higher order law. And finally the final law is that a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with a higher order law. These were used in a recent Hollywood movie however many people don’t know that the Laws of Robotics actually exists.

According to The Robot Institute of America a robot is a “reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move materials, parts, tools, or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks." This is a scientific sounding description however most people just think of robots as machine that mimic their counterparts. In practical usage, a robot is a mechanical device which performs automated tasks.

The most developed robot in practical use today is the robotic arm and it is seen in applications throughout the world. We use robotic arms to carry out dangerous work such as when dealing with hazardous materials. We use robotic arms to carry out work in outer space where man can not survive and we use robotic arms to do work in the medical field such as conducting experiments without exposing the researcher.

Some of the most advanced robotic arms have such amenities as a rotating base, pivoting shoulder, pivoting elbow, rotating wrist and gripper fingers. All of these amenities allow the robotic arm to do work that closely resembles what a man can do only without the risk.

How to Make a Simple Robot

Robots, such as humanoids robot perform like humans and can do things humans do. However, if you are starting out making your first robot, do not think of the complicated, high technology and functional robot. Simple robot will need two wheels and the ability to move forward, move backward, move left and move right. This is the simplest robot you can do, enough to help you learn the basics. Hopefully, through your mistakes in your first robot, you can develop your second robot with more functionality.

What you need in making a simple robot?

· Money - of course you will need money in making your own robot because you cannot create your own parts by now.

· Design plan - again, do not think of a highly complicated design, simple robot needs to be able to move forward, backward and side ways.

· Wheel, this will move the robot.

· Motor, preferably battery operated motor

· Power, the choice of battery is important.

· Cool circuit thingy.

Steps in making a simple robot

1. Take the design and list the parts, tools and equipment you need.
2. Find a suitable place to make your robot, this will ensure that you have all you need in one place.
3. Follow the algorithm for a robot:
   1. Forward, both wheels need to move at the same speed.
   2. Backward, both wheels need to move at the same speed as well.
   3. To move left, left wheel moves reverse and the right wheel moves forward
   4. To move right, right wheel move reverse and the left wheel moves forward.
4. Attach the wheel; 3" wheel is the best because it will move the robot faster.
5. Attach the motor; the program will calculate gearing ratios, desired terrain, desired velocity and acceleration, voltage, power consumption and controllability.
6. Attach the battery to the motor; NiMH is the recommended battery for your motor.
7. Finally, the cool circuit thingy. Buy one that is already assembled, do not experiment on this one, you may do it on your second robot.
8. Test, test and test.

Making a robot is not easy; you therefore need a goal to finish the project. Joining robotics competition will help you move forward in your goal. If you do not win, no problem, redesign your robot and join again. It will give you the motivation to finish your robot.

Robotics Institute of America

Robotics Institute of America

The Robotics Institute of America (RIA) defines a robot as:

A re-programmable multi-functional manipulator designed to move materials, parts, tools, or specialized devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.

The RIA recognizes four classes of robot:

• 1: Handling devices with manual control
• 2: Automated handling devices with predetermined cycles
• 3: Programmable, servo-controlled robots with continuous of point-to-point trajectories
• 4: Robots capable of Type C specifications which also acquire information from the environment for intelligent motion