Information on Robots
Information on RobotsWelcome. You have reached my robot page. Herein is a brief look at robots. This page contains basically just general information. I am NOT an expert on robots, they are just my hobby! This page will cover what makes a robot, the types and uses of robots, who uses robots, and if there are any famous robots around. This page is concerned about physical robots using mechanical and electronic devices. No further mention will be made about the "robots" on the web that are computer programs designed to search the web. This page is best viewed with Netscape Navigator Gold Version 3 in 640x480 mode.
What makes a robot? What is a robot? Well the term robot originally comes from Russia. A Czeck playwright, Karek Capek wrote a play in 1921 (translated in 1923) called "R.U.R.:Rossum's Universal Robots.". The word he adapted is the Czech word "robota" meaning "servitude" or "statute labour". Although the play, which was only run of the mill Science Fiction, faded into histroy, the word he used remain and now perpiates most languages, and means generally the same everywhere. The word "Robot" can also be translated as mechanical slave. This same word has had many other words either linked or created because of it. Some examples are: "Android", "Droid", "'Bot", and "Robotics"
Issac Asimov is credited with `coining' the word robotics, which means the study of robots. He then formulated the famous "Three Laws of Robotics" which are:
However later, after feeling these to be insufficent he added a "Zeroth Law" which is: "A Robot may not harm humanity or through inaction allow humanity to come to harm". The revised laws of robotics is:
These laws are not in place today as no robot has yet been built intelligent enough to understand these laws. In fact he created them in a response to the perceived "Frankenstein syndrome" (The belief that robots, particularly robots with human qualities, are menacing). His laws have filtred through much of the science fiction stories about robots since their invention.
A robot is basically made up of a base, brain, sensors and actuators.
The base of the robot can be stationary, (fixed) or mobile. Robots used in manufacter are examples of fixed robots. They can not move their base away from the are they are working. Mobile bases are typically platforms with wheels or tracks attached. Instead of wheels or tracks, some robots employ legs inorder to move about.
The brains of a robot is a computer. However, computer are by design very sensitive to movement, vibration and dust. Also computers have a finite minimum size which limit their uses. Fixed robots are not generally limited in the size of the computer they can use, as the "brain" can be placed in an unused corner and then linked to the robot by long cables. On the other hand, mobile robots are limited in the size of the computer they can use, as the "brains" are transported on the platform (there are a few execptions). The constrants placed on mobile "brains" are size and weight, the larger in size, the larger in weight. However small size also generally means little processing power, and large computers are as powerful as "dumb worms" as it is, so the processing power of most mobile robots is severely limited.
Sensors used by robots vary between robots depending on their needs and uses. Each robot need certain information in order to work properly. The actual sensors take many shapes and forms. Generally the senors used by robots are:
Actuators used in robotics is almost always combinations of different electro-mechanical devices. Sometimes robots use hydraulics, particulary in the car building industry. The electro-mechanical devices range from `muscle-wires' to inexpensive RC-servo and motors. There are several types of motors available including:
These are then connected to cable, gears, axles, pulleys and alike to give the robot movement, and the ability to interact with it's environment.
There are four basic types of robots: Industrial, Home, Hobby, and Toys.
Industrial robots are used in the manufacture of many goods today. They are mostly used in the car manufacture industry. Currently no there are Australian suppilers of industrial robots. A prototype might be made in Australia, but then it is out sourced. Industrial robots are almost exclusivily hydrolic arms on fixed bases with welding and painting equipment attached.
Home robots (in the true sense) are only just starting to make an appearance, and for the most part remain in the relms of Science Fiction. Recently a robot vaccum cleaner was made and before that there was a robotic lawn mower. However, it could be said that *any* device with some computer control (i.e. microwave ovens) are robots.
The easiest, cheapest, and painless way to build a robot is to purchace a robotics kit. Many companies make these. A well know one which is available in Australia and elsewhere is Fischertechnick from Procon Technology. This comes from Germany. The prices of their kits range from $35 to $855. Also LEGO are offering robot kits now called "Lego Mindstorms", however it is more toy orienated. Also a small factor against the LEGO kits is the cost. Currently in Australia they are approximatly $430 from Dick Smith Electronics (I can't find the ad so I guessing about the cost, but it is over $400). You can build your own but you (or a good friend or relative) need some knowledge in computers, electronics and mechanics. There are many books around that offer advice for the robot builder. At this stage I have two such books. The one I use the most is "Robot Builder's Bonanzza: 99 Inexpensive Robotics Projects" by Gordon McComb. This is available off Jaycar Electronics for $43.95. The other book is called: "Electronic Circuits for the Computer Control of Robots" by R.A. Penfold, also obtained off Jaycar Electronics for about $10. Another source of advice and projects and alike are electronics magazines both old and new, however is seems like more old magazines have robotics projects than new magazines.
There are many famous robots. Most are off movies by there are a few from books and other media. Asimoz wrote many stories about robots and many science fiction stories have been written about them.. An example of of famous robots coming from a movie is Robby the Robot from the Lost In Space series. Some other robots from movies are: Number Johnny 5 from Short Circuit and Short Circuit 2, and R2-D2 and C-3PO from the Star Wars series (3D models advaliable here). Also other robots that are famous are the Terminator, RoboCop, and Data (from Star Trek: The Next Generation)
All the above robots have one thing in common. They are all intellegent, and are more intellegent the all current robots. They can understand anyone who talks to them, can think and learn, and have personalities.
The information in this page comes from my own experiance, books, and the following web sites:
Arrick Robotics
The Robotics FAQ
http://www.ljkamm.com/
Fischertechnik
Robotic
Vehicles Group at NASA
R.O.V. Technologies, Inc Nuclear
Underwater Equipment
The following books also aided:
The Robot Builder's Bonanza - 99 Inexpensive
Robotics Projects
by Gordon McComb Published by TAB Books in 1987
The Arco Book of ELECTRONICS - COMPUTERS TV
VIDEO AUDIO ROBOTS
by Helena Sturridge Published by Arco Publishing Inc.
in 1984
The Encyclopedia of SCIENCE FICTION -
Edited by Peter Nicholls Published by Granada Publishing
in 1979
(As you can see I can't find any recent books on robots. If you know of where I could get some, PLEASE contact me by e-mail below.)
The following sites are also relating to robots that you might find interesting:
Robot Resources link
Robots
Australia's Telerobot on the
Web
Index of /wizorg/robot
Ron's robot lab
Yoda
Talking head
If can see a place where I have left you out, please just contact me and tell me!
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