Introduction to Robotics
What is a Robot?
A Robot is an automatic machine that is able to move. It’s controlled by a sophisticated controller, in many cases having an ‘Artificial Intelligence’.
Review of the structure and general sub-systems of a Robot
A typical robot will have several sub-systems, among which:
- The Actuators Subsystem – a system which its purpose is to create the physical movement of the robot, in most cases by combining different kinds of motors, like step motors, servo motors, DC motors, and electronic ‘muscles’ motors.
- Sensors Subsystem – a systems that performs the input for the robots’ actions, i.e. position sensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors, a camera (computer vision) etc.
- Control Subsystems – subsystems which are responsible of operating complex parts of the robots, i.e. Stepper motor controller, Servo motor controller
- Information Processing subsystem – The information processing subsystem is responsible for integrating the data from the sensors subsystem, analyzing it (usually using complex artificial intelligence algorithms), and then operating the control subsystems. It can be said that this system is the ‘brain’ of a robot.
Motion Actuators – Motors for Robotics applications
Information about Stepper Motors: operation, types of Stepper Motors, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, using Stepper Motors in robotics, methods of control, building a step/direction stepper motor controller.
Information about Servo motors: operation, types, advantages and disadvantages of using Servo motors, servo motors usage in robotics applications, Servo motor control, building a Servo motor controller.
Direct Current (DC) Motors
Information about DC motors – usage in robotics, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages
Robotic Sensors
Infra-red Range Finder Sensor
A sensor that transmits and infra-red beacon calculates the distance from the object ahead by calculations made on the returned beam angle.
Ultrasonic Range Finder Sensor
A sensor that finds the range from an object ahead by sending an ultrasonic wave, waiting for it to bounce back from the object and return to the sensor. By measuring the time gap between these two events the distance can be calculated.
Light Sensor
