Introduction to Robotics

---

Introduction to Robotics

The idea of a robot has been with us for a long time - a machine that will do all of the things we don't want to do ourselves, like make the beds or clean the bathroom. The word robot comes from the czech words robata, which means labour, and robotnik which means workman.

The robot Maria from Metropolis

Robots first featured in a play called Rossum's Universal Robots, released in 1923 and a german film called Metropolis. However, robots were imagined long before that. In the 1850's robot like toys and statues, called automata, were developed for the aristocracy.

The Waltzing Couple, created by Alexandre Theroude in 1850

Have a look at the Japanese Tea Doll here : »./upload/teadoll.mpeg

Hollywood has made much use of the concept of a robot. Movies like the Terminator series protray robots as mindless killing machines. The Star Wars films often protrayed robots in the roll of comedians, though R2D2 was often one of the heroes as well. Movies like Bicenennial Man (an updated version of the Pinochio story) gave robots human qualities.

Have a look at each of the following trailers to investigate Hollywood's view of robots :

• Robots »./upload/Robots.mov
• I Robot »./upload/i_robot.mov
• Terminator : »./upload/T3.mov

Real Robots

Does all of this give you an idea of what a robot is ?

Exercise : In your books, write down your own definition of the word Robot.

Something to think about : Using your definition, would something like a Washing machine or a microwave be considered a robot ? What about a computer, is this a robot too ?

Exercise : Have a look at the pictures and video of real robots below. Write into your books three things that are the same (compare) about these real robots and the pretend hollywood robots. Now write three things that are different (contrast) about these real robots and the pretend hollywood robots.

Real Robots

A factory robot and a robot helicopter

A robot that has explored Mars and a humanoid Robot.

• A short video about Modern Robots is here »./upload/honda.mpeg
• A very short video of computer geeks playing with a robot can be found here »./upload/MSU-robot1.mpeg

What is a Robot ?

By general agreement, a robot is:

• A programmable machine that imitates the actions or appearance of an intelligent creature–usually a human.

To qualify as a robot, a machine must be able to:

1. Sensing and perception: get information from its surroundings
2. Carry out different tasks: Locomotion or manipulation, do something physical–such as move or manipulate objects
3. Re-programmable: can do different things
4. Function autonomously and/or interact with human beings

Why use Robots ?

• Increase product quality
• Superior Accuracies (thousandth of a millimetre)
• Repeatable precision
• Consistency of products
• Increase efficiency
• Work continuously without fatigue
• Need no vacation
• Increase safety
• Operate in dangerous environment%0
• Need no environmental comfort – air conditioning, noise protection, etc
• Lower labor cost
• Rapid response to changes in design

Exercise : Write an essay about robots.

Hollywood robots will never be real : discuss

At least 500 words : Include a picture of a Hollywood robot and one picture of a real robot : Also, make a nice heading using word-art. Complete the exercise in Word, or some other word processor.

Essay Scafold :

At least one picture of a real robot and one picture of a Hollywood robot

• Definition of what a robot is
• Describe real robots
• Describe what tasks real tobots are given today
• Describe hollywoood robots
• Describe what sort of things these robots do in movies.
• Compare and contrast (how are they the same, how are they different)
• Form an opinion of whether or not Hollywood robots will be real