ROOTS OF ROBOTICS

The Different areas in robotics:

🅐 Mechanical Engineering

🅑 Computer Science

🅒 Electrical and Electronic Engineering

🅓 General Sciences

 In robotics, there are three distinct Disciplines under Mechanical Engineering:

➤Kinematics, 

➤Dynamics, 

➤Sensing, 

which are coming under the umbrella of this Mechanical Engineering. 

In kinematics actually we try to consider the motion, the relative motion of the different joints, different links.

In dynamics, we try to find out, how much is the force required for a linear joint, and how much is that moment or torque required for a rotary joint. So, all such things are mathematically determined in dynamics.

In sensing, we try to collect information of the environment with the help of sensors. So, all such things are coming under the umbrella of mechanical engineering. 

There are two distinct Disciplines under Computer Science:

➤Motion Planning, 

➤Artificial Intelligence, 

The motion planning, what we do is, if you want to make these particular robots intelligent, what you will have to do is, you will have to make some planning. We will have to plan the course of action, and we take the help of a few motion planning algorithms.  

Now, if you see the literature, a huge literature is available on robot motion planning using both traditional as well as soft computing-based approaches. the purpose of using motion planning is to decide the course of action, depending on the input situation. So, what should be the output, how to decide that, that is the purpose of the motion planning. 

Now, then comes the artificial intelligence. So, as we told that, we try to copy the human brain in the artificial way, using the principle of artificial intelligence. Now, to design and develop the suitable brain for the robots,  this artificial intelligence is a very big area of research. And, distinctly there are two groups of algorithms, one is called the traditional AI techniques, and we have got the non-traditional AI techniques, that is, called the computational intelligence, that is the artificial intelligence using the principle of soft computing. 

So, using this principle actually, we can make a plan depending on the requirement. So, that the robot can be made intelligent, and it can take the decision and execute that particular task depending on the requirement. Now, all such things are coming under the umbrella of computer science. 

Distinct Disciplines under Electrical and Electronic Engineering:

➤Control Scheme,

➤Hardwares,

Supposing that to perform a particular task. So, motion planning algorithm has given some decision, which has to be executed. So, how to execute?  Generally, we use DC motor, and to control these motors actually there should be controller.

So, definitely the robot should have one control architecture, and one control scheme has to be used to control this particular robot in a very efficient way. And, these control schemes, and its hardware implementations are coming under the purview of your electrical engineering, and the electronics engineering. 

Distinct Disciplines under General Sciences:

➤Physics,

➤Mathematics,

Actually to develop the robots, we will have very good knowledge of the general science like physics, mathematics, because we will have to use the principle of physics and mathematics very frequently to design and develop the robots. 

Particularly, if I want to design from kinematic point of view, dynamics point of view, so a lot of mathematics, a lot of physics I will have to use. Similarly, if I want to design and develop suitable sensors for these particular robots, we will have to use the basic principles of physics!!!

Now, that means, if somebody wants to become a true expert of robotics, They should have at least some basic fundamental knowledge of all these pillars. And, that is why, the robotics is little bit difficult, and it is bit difficult to become a true Roboticist.

Now to concentrate on the two types of joints,

⧪the Linear joint:

        a)Sliding Joint

        b)Prismatic Joint

⧪the Rotary joints.

        a)Revolute Joint

        b)Twisting Joint  

 Now, each of these particular joints is having the degree of freedom or connectivity. So, by connectivity we mean, how many rigid link can be connected to one fixed link through that particular joint.!!!

So, These are the Roots of Robotics!!!

Stay tuned on EasyRobotics to learn more .....😏