Robotics

Robotics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science that includes mechanical engineering, electrical 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.

History

The concept of creating machines that can operate autonomously dates back to classical times, but research into the functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th century. Throughout history, it has been frequently assumed that robots will one day be able to mimic human behavior and manage tasks in a human-like fashion.

Design

A robot's design may be inspired by nature or to serve some industrial purpose. The design of a robot is an important aspect of its efficiency and effectiveness. The design process involves a series of steps including defining the problem, generating ideas, developing a solution, constructing a prototype, testing and evaluation, and finally, communicating the results.

Control

The control of a robot involves three separate tasks: perception, processing, and action (robotic paradigms). Robots need information about their environment in order to function effectively.

Dynamics and kinematics

The study of motion can be divided into kinematics and dynamics. Direct kinematics refers to the calculation of end effector position, orientation, velocity, and speed based on the input of joint angles and joint velocities. Direct dynamics is the calculation of accelerations in the robot once the applied forces are known.

Applications

Robots are used in many applications such as medicine, military, exploration, agriculture, cleaning, and entertainment.

See also

• Artificial intelligence
• Automation
• Cybernetics
• Mechatronics
• Nanorobotics

External links

• Robotics Online
• UK Robotics

Robotics Resources
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