Computers π» | Robotics | 6.2 Flashcards
Define robotics
Robotics is a branch of computer science that
incorporates the design, construction and
operation of robots
Define robot
A mechanical device that can carry out tasks normally done by humans
Give examples of areas where robots are used.
- Industry
- Transport
- Agriculture
- Medicine
- Domestic
- Entertainment
List some examples of factory robots / functions
- Welding parts together
- Spray-painting panels on a car
- Fitting windscreens to cars
- Cutting out metal partst to a high precision
- Bottling and labeling plants
- Warehouses (automatic location of items)
List some examples of domestic robots
- Autonomous floor sweepers
- Autonomous lawn mower
- Ironing robots
- Pool cleaner
- Automatic window cleaner
- Entertainment (βfriendβ robots)
List some examples of how robotics can be used in drones
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are drones that are either remotely controlled or totally autonomous using embedded systems
- Can be used in reconnaisance
- Can be used to make parcel deliveries
What are the characteristics of a robot?
- Ability to sense their surroundings
- Have a degree of movement
- Programmable
How do robots have an ability to sense their surroundings?
Via sensors, which determine the physical environment and sends data to microprocessors
How do robots use mechanical structures to have a degree of movement?
They can make use of motors, wheels, cogs, pistons, gears, etc., to carry out fuctions such as turning, twisting, moving backwards/forwards, gripping, lifting
Define autonomous
Able to operate independently without any human input
Define controller
A microprocessor that is in control of a process
What makes a robot programmable?
The controller - which determines the action to be taken to perform acertain task, and is also programmable
Do all robots have AI?
No. Many do repetitive tasks
What are the two types of physical robots?
Independent and Dependent
Describe an independent robot
- Has no direct human control
- Can replace the human activity completely
Describe a dependent robot
- Has a human directly interacting with the robot
- Can supplement rather than totally replace the human activity
What are the two ways that a robot is programmed in industrial applications?
- Wth a sequence of instructions allowing it to carry out the tasks
- A human operator either guiding a robot arm, each movement stores; or a workerβs movements stored and replicated by a robot
What are the advantages of robots in industry?
- Capable of working in conditions hazardous for humans
- Work 24/7 without need to stop
- Less expensive in the long run
- More productive than humans
- More consistent
- Better suited to boring repetitive tasks than humans
- Less costs in heating and lighting
What are the disadvantages of robots in industry?
- Robots may find it difficult to do non-standard tasks
- Leads to higher unemployment
- Risk of deskilling when robots take over certain taks
- Factories can be moved anywhere in the world where operation costs are lower, leading to unemployment and explotation
- Expensive to buy and set up
What are robots used for in transport?
To create automated vehicles
What are the advantages of autonomous vehicles?
- Safer since human error is removed; fewer accidents
- Better for environments due to higher efficiency
- Reduced traffic congestion
- Increased lane capacity
- Reduced travel times
- Stress-free parking
What are the disadvantages of autonomous vehicles?
- Very expensive due to high tech requirements
- Fear of hacking into the control system
- Security and safety issues; fear of glitches
- The need to maintain the system well, keeping sensors clean
- Driver and passenger reluctance
- Unemployment if there are less taxis
- Many philosophical moral dilemnas
What is the system autonomous trains make use of?
LiDaR
Define LiDaR
A contraction of light detection and ranging; the use of lasers to build up a 3D image of surroundings
What are the advantages of autonomous trains?
- Improves train puncutality
- Reduced running costs
- Improved safety
- Minimised energy consumption
- Increased frequency of trains
- Easier to change train scheduling
What are the disadvantages of autonomous trains?
- Ever-present fear of hacking into control system
- System doesnt work well with very busy services
- High capital and operational costs
- Ensuring good passenger behavioris acceptable in busy times
- Passenger relucatance
- No drivers; need for CCTV
What are some features that autonomous airplanes may have?
- Sensors to detect turbulence to ensure smooth flight
- Increase in self-testing of all circuits and systems
- Sensors to automatically detect depressurisation in cabin
- Use of GPS for navigation and speed calculations
- Use of actuators to control wings, throttle, flaps