1. What is a robot? Discuss the history of robotics. Cite and provide images of atleast 5 famous and useful robots.

Discuss the features and capabilities of such robots.

A robot is a mechanical or virtual agent, usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry. Robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and range from humanoids such as Honda's Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility (ASIMO) and TOSY's TOSY Ping Pong Playing Robot (TOPIO) to industrial robots, collectively programmed 'swarm' robots, and even microscopic nano robots. By mimicking a lifelike appearance or automating movements, a robot may convey a sense of intelligence or thought of its own. The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing is robotics. These technologies deal with automated machines that can take the place of humans in dangerous environments or manufacturing processes, or resemble humans in appearance, behavior, and/or cognition. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics. These robots have also created a newer branch of robotics: Soft robotics. History of Robotics From the time of ancient civilization there have been many accounts of user-configurable automated devices and even automata resembling animals and humans, designed primarily as entertainment. As mechanical techniques developed through the Industrial age, there appeared more practical applications such as automated machines, remotecontrol and wireless remote-control. Electronics evolved into the driving force of development with the advent of the first electronic autonomous robots created by William Grey Walter in Bristol, England in 1948. The first digital and programmable robot was invented by George Devol in 1954 and was named the Unimate. It was sold to General Motors in 1961 where it was used to lift pieces of hot metal fromdie casting machines at the Inland Fisher Guide Plant in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, New Jersey. Robots have replaced humans in the assistance of performing those repetitive and dangerous tasks which humans prefer not to do, or are unable to do due to size limitations, or even those such as in outer space or at the bottom of the sea where humans could not survive the extreme environments. There are concerns about the increasing use of robots and their role in society. Robots are blamed for rising unemployment as they replace workers in some functions. The use of robots in military combat raises ethical concerns. The possibility of robot autonomy and potential repercussions has been addressed in fiction and may be a realistic concern in the future. A robot can be defined as a programmable, self-controlled device consisting of electronic, electrical, or mechanical units. More generally, it is a machine that functions

in place of a living agent. Robots are especially desirable for certain work functions because, unlike humans, they never get tired; they can endure physical conditions that are uncomfortable or even dangerous; they can operate in airless conditions; they do not get bored by repetition; and they cannot be distracted from the task at hand. The concept of robots is a very old one yet the actual word robot was invented in the 20th century from the Czechoslovakian word robota or robotnik meaning slave, servant, or forced labor. Robots don't have to look or act like humans but they do need to be flexible so they can perform different tasks. Early industrial robots handled radioactive material in atomic labs and were called master/slave manipulators. They were connected together with mechanical linkages and steel cables. Remote arm manipulators can now be moved by push buttons, switches or joysticks. Current robots have advanced sensory systems that process information and appear to function as if they have brains. Their "brain" is actually a form of computerized artificial intelligence (AI). AI allows a robot to perceive conditions and decide upon a course of action based on those conditions. A robot can include any of the following components:

effectors - "arms", "legs", "hands", "feet" sensors - parts that act like senses and can detect objects or things like heat and light and convert the object information into symbols that computers understand computer - the brain that contains instructions called algorithms to control the robot equipment - this includes tools and mechanical fixtures Characteristics that make robots different from regular machinery are that robots usually function by themselves, are sensitive to their environment, adapt to variations in the environment or to errors in prior performance, are task oriented and often have the ability to try different methods to accomplish a task. Common industrial robots are generally heavy rigid devices limited to manufacturing. They operate in precisely structured environments and perform single highly repetitive tasks under preprogrammed control. There were an estimated 720,000 industrial robots in 1998. Teleoperated robots are used in semi-structured environments such as undersea and nuclear facilities. They perform non-repetitive tasks and have limited real-time control.

Robocop

Its name tells all. Robocop is one of the most famous robots of all times. It was introduced to the world in the year 1987. Its idea had first occurred to Paul Verhoeven who made sure the concept in his mind was clear to its constructor. This robot was meant to be really tough and mean. Robocop was everything you can expect from a normal robot. Because it consisted of oil coolers, radiators and heat exchangers, everything you will find on that robot only that you should know where to look. But what made it the most famous in the world was its unique attributes! Its core arms are three 20mm cannons, two on the left limb and one on the right upper limb. The left arm contains two peripheral high-capacity missiles magazines and the right arm which snapped into place when the guns are armed. It also used its gun shell to position down and shift upward again to uppercut its foes as it did. But that was not all about it. It also consisted of a three-round rocket launcher on its right arm and twin launchers for mortar rounds and gas grenades behind its head. Its body was real steel! Thus, this one of a kind, stylish and most elegant master piece was loaded with handy weapons from assault cannon, rocket launcher and a jet pack. Terminator

Now here is what you call, the star of all robots, the Terminator. Like its name, at its launch, it simply finished off all other robots or robotic concepts for a long long time. The terminator is a self-directed robot, characteristically humanoid. It was basically formulated as a practically resilient combatant and assassin, as well as an undercover agent. Its design was such that it could converse in nature; duplicate others voices, interpret scripts, and even genuinely sweat, smell, and bleed. For Terminator detections, dogs were used to alert humans of their presence. A Terminator can bear up average 20th century firearms, smash through walls unharmed, and endure blasts to some degree. There is just constant shotgun firing can knock it down and momentarily immobilize it. Robot Andrew

More famous as the Bicentennial Man, Andrew was a humanoid military robot. It was not any soldier, or an armed or a fully equipped robot. It was just a robot, but like a human, with human feelings. Perhaps that is why it was most popular among every age group. It was built with a vision, that a robot may not harm a human. It was meant to obey human beings, whatever order they may give. But it was also to protect itself. This protection of itself and not even harming the humans was the conflicting element. That is how Andrew, being a humanoid robot requested a robotic surgeon to get upgraded. Getting itself upgraded meant getting into a perfect shape, getting extra gadgets, accessories and the positron brain altered. Its stress was to get protective clothing under pragmatic surroundings. It got itself a very nicely finished plastic and metals body. Built into the head were electronic servos for the eye lids and eye brows to be able to move for expressions. Andrew, with his new body, studied robotic-biology the science of organic

robots. Thus, Andrew gets a system permitting androids to eat food like humans solely for the purpose of becoming more like a person. Robot B9

The B-9 robot was recognized and addressed simply as a Robot. It was a machine endowing with prodigious power and advanced armaments. Although it too displayed human-like characteristics, such as laughter, sadness, and mockery even singing and playing the guitar. Robot B-9 was physically a glass bubble feeler component with a stirring receiver. It had a fluted, semi-transparent circular collar, with a display of shaped ribs. It had a cylindrical, revolving chest division with expanding arms that completed in scarlet reflex claws. B-9 possessed such powerful computers that enabled it to make intricate calculation and construe many facts. It had a range of sensors that perceived various occurrences and threats. It was highly programmed with wide-ranging awareness and information on countless subjects matter, together with how to activate a spaceship. Its structure allowed it to function in tremendous atmospheres and in the vacuity of space. It was exceptionally tough, to perform complex labor and in combating when required. Additionally, its arms contained fiery laser beams and a powerful electro-force that was similar to arcing voltage.

Marvin the Paranoid Android

This one is one of my favorites, and definitely the most interesting one. Marvin, the robot claimed to be 50,000 times more intellectual and intelligent than a human. Why?! Because it had a brain of the size of a planet which it seldom had to use or ever given a chance to use. One can define Marvin as a robot; as a perfunctory apparatus designed to do the work of a man. Scientific personalities call it as Your Plastic Pal Whos Fun to Be With. Although, there is one resilient rule which states that a depressed Marvin could never be destroyed. The only thing that could ever shut him up was probably the steel jaws of a crusher machine coming together on its shiny metal head. Marvins main goals in life were to stay depressed and, more importantly, to make everyone around know it, and no doubt to make them depressed too. The effect was a laugh uprising, of course! He was too funny to be in his persistent mood of moaning and groaning and talking to mattresses while walking around them. Marvin was basically a comic relief. Marvin was a slave, a lapdog, a master piece to be fluent in over six million forms of communication and yet convey depression in all of them.

2. What is Robot Locomotion? Enumerate and sensors/effectors/actuators/manipulators. Include images.

discuss

robot

Robot locomotion is the collective name for the various methods that robots use to transport themselves from place to place. Although wheeled robots are typically quite energy efficient and simple to control, other forms of locomotion may be more appropriate for a number of reasons (e.g. traversing rough terrain, moving and interacting

in human environments). Furthermore, studying bipedal and insect-like robots may beneficially impact on biomechanics. A major goal in this field is in developing capabilities for robots to autonomously decide how, when, and where to move. However, coordinating a large number of robot joints for even simple matters, like negotiating stairs, is difficult. Autonomous robot locomotion is a major technological obstacle for many areas of robotics, such as humanoids (like Honda's Asimo) Legged Locomotion A legged robot is well suited for rough terrain; it is able to climb steps, to cross gaps which are as large as its stride and to walk on extremely rough terrain where, due to ground irregularities, the use of wheels would not be feasible. To make a legged robot mobile each leg must have at least two degrees of freedom (DOF). For each DOF one joint is needed, which is usually powered by one servo. Because of this a four legged robot needs at least eight servos to travel around. Figure 3 shows the energy consumption of different locomotion concepts. It strikes that the power consumption of legged locomotion is nearly two orders of magnitude more inefficient than of wheeled locomotion on hard, flat surface (e.g. railway wheel on steel). One reason for this is that wheeled locomotion requires in general fewer motors than legged locomotion. Robot Sensors Sensors measure a physical quantity, and convert it into a useable signal for your robot. When designing your robot it is important to choose the correct sensors to enable it to be aware of its environment and perform the tasks required. Consider what it is about your environment you need your robot to know, and your needs in terms of the precision and accuracy required, this will dictate the type of sensors you will need. We have a huge range of sensors that can be applied to a variety of projects, our range includes: Environmental monitoring, distance, force, speed, pressure, temperature, magnetic flux, vibration, humidity, rotation, touch, imaging, light, biometrics, gas, acceleration, current, voltage, orientation, gravity, tilt sensing and speech recognition. Be aware of the magnitude of input and output needed and choose a sensor with adjustable sensitivity or varying degrees of freedom if required. We can also provide Data Acquisition Devices to interface an array of sensors with a PC. Robot Effector In robotics, an end effector is the device at the end of a robotic arm, designed to interact with the environment. The exact nature of this device depends on the application of the robot. In the strict definition, which originates from serial robotic manipulators, the end effector means the last link (or end) of the robot. At this endpoint the tools are attached. In a

wider sense, an end effector can be seen as the part of a robot that interacts with the work environment. This does not refer to the wheels of a mobile robot or the feet of a humanoid robot which are also not end effectorsthey are part of the robot's mobility. End effectors may consist of a gripper or a tool. The gripper can be of two, three or even five fingers. The end effectors that can be used as tools serve various purposes, such as spot welding in an assembly, spray painting where uniformity of painting is necessary, and for other purposes where the working conditions are dangerous for human beings. Surgical robots have end effectors that are specifically manufactured for the purpose. The end effector of an assembly line robot would typically be a welding head, or a paint spray gun. A surgical robot's end effector could be a scalpel or others tools used in surgery. Other possible end effectors are machine tools, like a drill or milling cutters. The end effector on the space shuttles robotic arm uses a pattern of wires which close like the aperture of a camera around a handle or other grasping point.[citation needed] When referring to robotic prehension there are four general categories of robot grippers, these are: 1. Impactive jaws or claws which physically grasp by direct impact upon the object. 2. Ingressive pins, needles or hackles which physically penetrate the surface of the object (used in textile, carbon and glass fibre handling). 3. Astrictive suction forces applied to the objects surface (whether by vacuum, magneto- or electro-adhesion). 4. Contigutive requiring direct contact for adhesion to take place (such as glue, surface tension or freezing).

Robot Actuator An actuator is a type of motor for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, typically electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure, or pneumatic pressure, and converts that energy into motion. An actuator is the mechanism by which a control system acts upon an environment. The control system can be simple (a fixed mechanical or electronic system), software-based (e.g. a printer driver, robot control system), a human, or other agent.

Robot Manipulator In robotics a manipulator is a device used to manipulate materials without direct contact. The applications were originally for dealing withradioactive or biohazardous materials, using robotic arms, or they were used in inaccessible places. In more recent developments they have been used in applications such as robotically-assisted surgery and in space. It is an arm-like mechanism that consists of a series of segments, usually sliding or jointed, which grasp and move objects with a number of degrees of freedom.

3. How is a robot built? Enumerate steps including the materials used in building a simple robot. Cite a projection of the amount of money involved in building simple and also a complicated robot.

BEETLEBOT 2 small motors (these can be found in some toys and in electric toothbrushes) 2 SPDT or 3-way switches 1 AA battery holder (with space for 2 batteries) 1 piece of metal (roughly 1x3, aluminum works well) 2 spade connectors Heat-shrink tubing 1 small bead A handful of paper clips

STEP 1: Fit the heat-shrink tubing to the wheel on the motor. Cut a piece of the tubing just a little longer than each wheel, fit it onto the wheel and shrink it using a lighter or the soldering iron. You may wish to put a few layers in increasing diameters to really build up the tires.

STEP 2: Glue the switches to the backside of the battery holder. Glue the switches to the back end of the battery holder on the flat side. This should be the end which the wires come out of. Place them at an angle in the corners, such that the contacts farthest from where the lever-looking metal bar goes into the device are touching at the center line of the device.

STEP 3: Place the metal strip. Place the 1x3 strip of aluminum just behind the switches, center it, and then bend the excess down at a 45 angle. Glue it in place with hot glue. Let it set completely before moving on.

STEP 4: Attach the motors to the metal wings. Using hot glue, attach the motors to the bent down sections of metal such that the tires are touching the ground. You will want to pay attention to the charge markings on the motors, as the tires will need to go in opposite directions. Make sure that one motor is placed upside down, as compared to the other.

STEP 5: Form the back wheel. You will need a back wheel so that the robot doesnt drag. Take a large paperclip and form it into the outline of a TARDIS or a house, with a medium-sized round bead at the peak. Place it at the opposite end from the protruding wires and hot glue the ends of the clip to the sides of the battery holder.

STEP 6: Solder the robot. You will need to use a soldering iron and solder to connect all of the electrical wires between the components of the robot. This must be done carefully in order to ensure that it works. There are several connections you will have to make:

First, solder the connection of the two switches. Next, solder a small wire between the two center connections on the switches. Solder two wires, one from the negative motor and one from the positive motor, to the final connection on the switch. Solder a longer wire between the remaining connections on the motors (connecting the motors to each other). Solder a longer wire between one of the back connections between the motor and the back section of the battery holder where the positive and negative charges meet.

Take the positive wire from the battery holder and solder it to the center, touching connections on the switches. The negative wire from the battery holder will go to the center connection on one of the switches.

STEP 7: Create the feelers for the robot. Cut the rubber/plastic ends off of the spade connectors, open up two paper clips (until they form a shape like a bugs feelers), and attach the spade connectors to the feelers with more heat-shrink tubing.

STEP 8: Attach the feelers to the switches. Attach the feelers to the switches using the spade connectors and glue (if you need it, they should clip or slip on just fine).

STEP 9: Turn it on by putting in batteries. The robot should move in much the same way a roomba does. It just wont clean your floor. Probably. Congratulations! Make sure to teach your little guy the Three Laws of Robotics