Glossary of robotics

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Glossary of Robotics

The field of robotics encompasses the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. This interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science includes mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, computer science, and others. Robotics deals with the design, construction, operation, and use of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing. This glossary provides definitions for some of the most commonly used terms in the field of robotics.

A

• Actuator: A device that converts energy (usually electrical) into mechanical motion to move or control a mechanism or system in a robot.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction. AI is a crucial component in some robotics systems.

B

• Bipedal Robot: A robot that has two legs and walks in a manner similar to a human.

C

• Controller: A device or software that directs the operation of a robot or its subsystems. Controllers interpret sensory information, make decisions based on programmed algorithms, and direct actuators.
• Cobot (Collaborative Robot): A robot designed to work alongside human workers, often in a shared workspace, and equipped with safety features to prevent injury to humans.

D

• Degrees of Freedom (DOF): The number of independent movements a robot or its parts can make. Higher DOF indicates more flexibility and capability to perform complex tasks.

E

• End Effector: The device at the end of a robotic arm, designed to interact with the environment. Common examples include grippers, tools, and sensors.

F

• Feedback Control: A control strategy that uses sensors to monitor the output of a robot and adjust its operation to achieve desired results.

G

• Gait: The pattern of movement of the limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion over a solid substrate. In robotics, it refers to the method or pattern a robot uses to move.

H

• Haptic: Relating to or based on the sense of touch. In robotics, haptic technology simulates the experience of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user.

I

• Inverse Kinematics: The mathematical process of calculating the variable joint parameters needed to place the end of a robotic arm at a desired location in space.

J

• Jacobian: A matrix that represents the relationship between the velocities of joints in a robotic arm and the velocity of the end effector. It is used in the control and simulation of robotic systems.

K

• Kinematics: The study of motion without considering the forces that cause it. In robotics, it involves calculating the positions, velocities, and accelerations of the parts of a robot.

L

• Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging): A remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure distances. It is often used in robotics for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

M

• Manipulator: A type of robot or robotic arm designed for moving, grasping, and manipulating objects in its environment.

N

• Navigation: The process by which a robot moves through an environment in a controlled manner, typically using sensors and algorithms to avoid obstacles.

O

• Odometry: The use of data from motion sensors to estimate a robot's change in position over time.

P

• Path Planning: The process of determining a path or route for a robot to follow to reach a specific destination without colliding with any obstacles.

Q

• Quadrupedal Robot: A robot that has four legs and moves in a manner similar to animals like dogs and horses.

R

• Robotics: The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots.

S

• Sensor: A device that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it. Sensors are essential for robots to interact with their environment.

T

• Teleoperation: The remote control of a robot or machinery by an operator who is not physically present at the site of operation.

U

• Ultrasonic Sensors: Devices that measure the distance to an object by using sound waves with frequencies higher than the audible range.

V

• Vision System: A type of sensor system used in robotics that allows a robot to perceive and interpret its surroundings using cameras and image processing algorithms.

W

• Workspace: The physical area in which a robot can operate or manipulate objects.

X

• X-axis: In robotics, the axis typically associated with horizontal movement in the Cartesian coordinate system.

Y

• Y-axis: In robotics, the axis typically associated with vertical movement in the Cartesian coordinate system.

Z

• Z-axis: In robotics, the axis typically associated with depth or forward and backward movement in the Cartesian coordinate system.

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