How do Robots Work?

As the world embraces technology, some of the world’s population is still trying to catch up. While there’s plenty of elderly out there that take to the advancements of our phones, computers, and even our eyes, there’s just as many out there that find the whole situation far too complex for every day usage.

Robots are mechanical devices that operate automatically. They can perform a wide variety of tasks; jobs that are repetitious and boring, difficult, or too dangerous for people to perform. Industrial robots efficiently complete routine tasks such as drilling, welding, assembly, painting, and packaging. They are used in manufacturing, electronics assembly, and food processing.

The word robot comes from the Czech word 'robota' that means drudgery. The science and technology that deals with robots is called robotics. A typical robot completes its task by following a set of specific instructions that tell it what and how the job is to be completed. These instructions are programmed and stored in the robot's control center, a computer or partial computer. Robots come in different sizes and shapes. Few resemble humans as is frequently depicted in science fiction. Most are stationary machines with a single arm that lifts or moves objects and uses tools.

Engineers have also developed mobile robots with video cameras for sight and electronic sensors for touch. These new generation robots are controlled by both their stored instructions by feedback that they receive from the sensors. Such robots might be used on the ocean floor at depths man is unable to reach and in planetary exploration and other scientific research.

Robots doing battle on Earth, robots helping humans to fight evil, or a robot which has committed murder – these are just some of the ways in which robots have been featured in Hollywood films in recent years.

We are all obsessed with robots. What they can do and how they can benefit humans, the possibilities are limitless. Let's find out how robots do what they do.

At the very basic level, robots are very much like humans. They are made up of five basic components:

1) A body structure

2) A muscle system which enables it to move

3) A sensory system that receives information about its body and from its surroundings

4) A power source that activates the muscle and sensory systems

5) A brain system that processes sensory information and tells the body what to do.

Types of Robot

• Cartesian robot /Gantry robot: Used for pick and place work, application of sealant, assembly operations, handling machine tools and arc welding. It's a robot whose arm has three prismatic joints, whose axes are coincident with a Cartesian coordinator.
• Cylindrical robot: Used for assembly operations, handling at machine tools, spot welding, and handling at diecasting machines. It's a robot whose axes form a cylindrical coordinate system.
• Spherical/Polar robot: Used for handling at machine tools, spot welding, diecasting, fettling machines, gas welding and arc welding. It's a robot whose axes form a polar coordinate system.
• SCARA robot: Used for pick and place work, application of sealant, assembly operations and handling machine tools. It's a robot which has two parallel rotary joints to provide compliance in a plane.
• Articulated robot: Used for assembly operations, diecasting, fettling machines, gas welding, arc welding and spray painting. It's a robot whose arm has at least three rotary joints.
• Parallel robot: One use is a mobile platform handling cockpit flight simulators. It's a robot whose arms have concurrent prismatic or rotary joints.
  

In our next blog shall learn to make Robot.

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