Introduction
• The term "robotics" was coined by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.
• The word "robotics" originates from the Old Church Slavonic word "rabota," meaning
"servitude" or "work."
Pre-History of Real-World Robots
• One of the earliest robots was the clepsydra, or water clock, created in 250 B.C. by
Ctesibius of Alexandria.
• Hero of Alexandria built a robot theater.
Jacques de Vaucanson (1709-1782)
Jacques de Vaucanson was a master toy maker who gained recognition in Europe.
He had a talent for inventing mechanical devices early in life.
He was inspired by the consistent motion of the pendulum in his parents' clock.
He began creating his own clock movements.
• Slide 4: Pre-History of Real-World Robots
o Nikola Tesla built the first remote control vehicles in the 1890s.
o Tesla is renowned as the inventor of AC power, induction motors, Tesla coils,
and other electrical devices.
• Slide 5: History of Real-World Robots
o Early robots from the 1940s-50s include Grey Walter's "Elsie the Tortoise"
("Machina speculatrix") and the Johns Hopkins "beast."
• Slide 6: History of Real-World Robots
o Grey Walter's tortoise has been restored recently by Owen Holland and is
fully operational.
• Slide 7: History of Real-World Robots
o Isaac Asimov and Joe Engleberger are considered the two fathers of robotics.
o Engleberger constructed the first robotic arms.
• Slide 8: History of Real-World Robots
o The first modern industrial robots were likely the "UNIMATES," created by
George Devol and Joe Engelberger in the 1950s and 60s.
o Engleberger founded the first robotics company, "Unimation," and is known
as the "father of robotics."
• Slide 9: The Advent of Industrial Robot - Robot Arms
o There are many reasons to use robots for tasks typically done by humans:
o Safety
o Efficiency
o Reliability
o Worker Redeployment
o Cheaper
• Slide 10: The Army and the Artificial Elephant
o The U.S. military contracted General Electric Company to build the "walking
truck" for the U.S. Army in 1969.
• Slide 11: The Army and the Artificial Elephant
o The walking truck was the first legged vehicle with a computer-brain,
developed by Ralph Moser at General Electric Corp. in the 1960s.
o It was a large (3,000 pounds), four-legged robot capable of walking up to
four miles per hour.
• Slide 12: History of Robotics
o Marvin Minsky was an MIT pioneer of AI and Robotics.
• Slide 13: 21st Century Robots
o ASIMO (ashimo) is a humanoid robot created by Honda, standing at 130
centimeters (4 feet 3 inches) and weighing 54 kilograms (114 pounds).
o The robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or
run on two feet at speeds up to 6 km/h.
• Slide 14: 21st Century Robots - Recognition Technology
o Recognition technology includes:
o Moving objects
o Postures and gestures
o Environment
o Distinguishing sounds
o Facial recognition
o Integration with user's network system
o Internet connectivity
• Slide 15: 21st Century Robots
o EMIEW stands for Excellent Mobility and Interactive Existence as Workmate.
o EMIEWs have a top speed of 6 km/h (matching ASIMO) and can avoid
obstacles.
• Slide 16: Robot Application - Medical Robots
o Robots are used in medicine because they are highly precise machines.
o They have been used with surgical instruments in robotic surgery to perform
closed-chest, beating-heart surgery.
• Slide 17: Robot Application - Military Robots
o Military robots can replace humans to perform many combat functions on
the battlefield.
o On the ground, robots have been deployed as mine sweepers and for bomb
disposal.
• Slide 18: Robot Application - Space Robots
o Space robotics is divided into two main areas:
o Robotic manipulators are deployed in space or on planetary surfaces
to emulate human manipulation capabilities.
o Robotic Rovers are deployed on planetary surfaces to emulate
human mobility capabilities.
• Slide 19: Robot Application - Automobile Industries
o Robotic arms are used in diverse manufacturing processes including
assembly, spot welding, arc welding, machine tending, part transfer, laser
processing, cutting, grinding, polishing, deburring, testing, painting, and
dispensing.
• Slide 20 & 21: Robot Application - Electronics/Semi-Conductor
o The application of clean room robots in semiconductor manufacturing
results in the reduction of scrap from broken wafers and chips, which
translates into major cost savings in wafer handling.
• Slide 22: Robot Application - Food & Beverage
o High-speed Material Handling robotic arms and vision-guided systems are
beginning to work alongside and—in many cases—instead of humans in food
factories.
• Slide 23: Robot Application - Ship Building
o Unlike the automobile industry, where the use of robots is widespread,
shipbuilding is more of a 'one-of-a-type' production, making efficient and
cost-effective robotic implementation extremely difficult to achieve.
• Slide 24: What are the Goals Today?
o Apply principles and techniques for injury prevention to ensure a safe work
area.
o Demonstrate safe practices when working with electricity and electrical
devices.
• Slide 25: 3 Laws of Robotics - 1st Law
o A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human
being to come to harm.
• Slide 26: 3 Laws of Robotics - 2nd & 3rd Law
o 2nd Law: A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except
where such orders would conflict with the 1st Law.
o 3rd Law: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection
does not conflict with the 1st or 2nd Law.
• Slide 27: ROBOTA
o ROBOTA means work/labor.
• Slide 28: SENSE THINK ACT
o Robots operate based on the principles of sensing, thinking, and acting.
• Slide 29: SENSE
o Sensors used in robots include:
o Light Sensors
o Camera
o Temperature Sensors
o Gas Sensor
o Touch Sensor
o Accelerometer
• Slide 30: THINK
o Robots use:
o Microprocessors
o Microcontrollers
• Slide 31: ACT
o Actuators used in robots include:
o DC Motor
o AC Motor
o Servo Motor
o Stepper Motor
o Solenoids
• Slide 32: Some Consistent Characteristics
o Robots share some consistent characteristics.
• Slide 33: All Robots - Mechanical Aspect
o All robots have a mechanical aspect.
• Slide 34: Control & Power
o Robots require control and power.
• Slide 35: Code - Simple Machinery
o Robots require some level of code for simple machinery ability.
• Slide 36: 5 Types
o The five types of robots are:
o Pre-Programmed Robots
o Humanoid Robots
o Autonomous Robots
o Teleoperated Robots
o Augmenting Robots
• Slide 37: Pre-Programmed Robots
o Pre-programmed robots operate in a controlled environment, performing
simple, monotonous tasks.
o Examples include welding a door or inserting a certain part into the engine.
• Slide 38: Humanoid Robots
o Humanoid robots look like or mimic human behavior.
o They are capable of running, jumping, and carrying objects.
• Slide 39: Autonomous Robots
o Autonomous robots operate independently in open environments with
human supervision.
o They perceive the world around them and use decision-making structures.
• Slide 40: Teleoperated Robots
o Teleoperated robots are semi-autonomous and use wireless networks for
human control.
o They are used in extreme geographical conditions and weather
circumstances.
• Slide 41: Augmenting Robots
o Augmenting robots enhance current human capabilities or replace
capabilities humans may have lost.
