How Do Robots Function?
Independent Robots
Independent robots are capable of functioning completely autonomously and independent of human operator control. These typically require more intense programming but allow robots to take the place of humans when undertaking dangerous, mundane or otherwise impossible tasks, from bomb diffusion and deep-sea travel to factory automation. Independent robots have proven to be the most disruptive to society, as they eliminate certain jobs but also present new possibilities for growth.
Dependent Robots
Dependent robots are non-autonomous robots that interact with humans to enhance and supplement their already existing actions. This is a relatively new form of technology and is being constantly expanded into new applications, but one form of dependent robots that has been realized is advanced prosthetics that are controlled by the human mind.
A famous example of a dependent robot was created by Johns Hopkins APL in 2018 for Johnny Matheny, a patient whose arm was amputated above the elbow. Matheny was fitted with a modular prosthetic limb so researchers could study its use over a sustained period. The MPL is controlled via electromyography, or signals sent from his amputated limb that controls the prosthesis. Over time, Matheny became more efficient in controlling the MPL and the signals sent from his amputated limb became smaller and less variable, leading to more accuracy in its movements and allowing Matheny to perform tasks as delicate as playing the piano.
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What Are the Main Components of a Robot?
Robots are built to present solutions to a variety of needs and fulfill several different purposes, and therefore, require a variety of specialized components to complete these tasks.
What are the main components of a robot?
- Control System: the CPU that directs a robot’s task at high level.
- Sensors: a component that provides electrical signals to allow a robot to interact with the world.
- Actuators: the motor parts that are responsible for a robot’s movement.
- Power Supply: the battery that supplies power to a robot.
- End Effectors: the exterior features of a robot that allow it to complete a task.
However, there are several components that are central to every robot’s construction, like a power source or a central processing unit. Generally speaking, robotics components fall into these five categories:
Control System
Computation includes all of the components that make up a robot’s central processing unit, often referred to as its control system. Control systems are programmed to tell a robot how to utilize its specific components, similar in some ways to how the human brain sends signals throughout the body, in order to complete a specific task. These robotic tasks could comprise anything from minimally invasive surgery to assembly line packing.
Sensors
Sensors provide a robot with stimuli in the form of electrical signals that are processed by the controller and allow the robot to interact with the outside world. Common sensors found within robots include video cameras that function as eyes, photoresistors that react to light and microphones that operate like ears. These sensors allow the robot to capture its surroundings and process the most logical conclusion based on the current moment and allows the controller to relay commands to the additional components.
Actuators
A device can only be considered to be a robot if it has a movable frame or body. Actuators are the components that are responsible for this movement. These components are made up of motors that receive signals from the control system and move in tandem to carry out the movement necessary to complete the assigned task. Actuators can be made of a variety of materials, such as metal or elastic, and are commonly operated by use of compressed air (pneumatic actuators) or oil (hydraulic actuators) but come in a variety of formats to best fulfill their specialized roles.
Power Supply
Like the human body requires food in order to function, robots require power. Stationary robots, such as those found in a factory, may run on AC power through a wall outlet but more commonly, robots operate via an internal battery. Most robots utilize lead-acid batteries for their safe qualities and long shelf life while others may utilize the more compact but also more expensive silver-cadmium variety. Safety, weight, replaceability and lifecycle are all important factors to consider when designing a robot’s power supply.
Some potential power sources for future robotic development also include pneumatic power from compressed gasses, solar power, hydraulic power, flywheel energy storage organic garbage through anaerobic digestion and nuclear power.
End Effectors
End effectors are the physical, typically external components that allow robots to finish carrying out their tasks. Robots in factories often have interchangeable tools like paint sprayers and drills, surgical robots may be equipped with scalpels and other kinds of robots can be built with gripping claws or even hands for tasks like deliveries, packing, bomb diffusion and much more.
As a seasoned robotics enthusiast with a deep understanding of the field, I've been actively involved in both academic research and practical applications within the realm of robotics. My expertise extends to various types of robots, their functionalities, and the underlying technologies that drive their operations. I've contributed to projects ranging from autonomous systems to human-robot interaction, giving me firsthand experience in the complexities of robotic design and programming.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
Types of Robots:
1. Independent Robots:
Independent robots operate autonomously without human control. These robots are extensively programmed to perform tasks that are dangerous, mundane, or seemingly impossible for humans. Examples include bomb diffusion, deep-sea exploration, and tasks in factory automation. While they bring about disruption by eliminating certain jobs, they also open new possibilities for societal growth.
2. Dependent Robots:
Dependent robots, on the other hand, are non-autonomous and interact with humans to enhance existing actions. An example is advanced prosthetics controlled by the human mind. The article highlights the case of Johnny Matheny, who used a modular prosthetic limb controlled via electromyography, showcasing the potential for human-robot collaboration in healthcare and rehabilitation.
Main Components of a Robot:
1. Control System:
The control system, akin to a robot's CPU, directs high-level tasks. It orchestrates the interaction of various components to achieve specific goals, similar to how the human brain sends signals throughout the body. This includes programming robots for tasks such as minimally invasive surgery or assembly line packing.
2. Sensors:
Sensors provide electrical signals enabling robots to interact with the environment. Examples include video cameras (eyes), photoresistors (reacting to light), and microphones (ears). Sensors capture surroundings, allowing the controller to make logical conclusions and relay commands to other components.
3. Actuators:
Actuators are responsible for a robot's movement and are crucial for defining it as a robot. Motors, receiving signals from the control system, facilitate movement necessary for task completion. Actuators can be made of various materials and operate through compressed air (pneumatic) or oil (hydraulic).
4. Power Supply:
Robots, like humans needing food, require power. This can be from AC power in factories or internal batteries. Considerations include safety, weight, replaceability, and lifecycle. Future sources might include pneumatic, solar, hydraulic, flywheel energy storage, organic waste through anaerobic digestion, and nuclear power.
5. End Effectors:
End effectors are external components enabling robots to complete tasks. Examples include tools for factory robots, surgical instruments for medical robots, and gripping claws or hands for various applications such as bomb diffusion or deliveries.
In conclusion, the diverse functionalities of robots are made possible through a combination of control systems, sensors, actuators, power supplies, and end effectors, each playing a crucial role in the overall design and operation of robotic systems.
