Understanding Robotics in Artificial Intelligence

Explore the world of robotics in artificial intelligence, including the definition of robots, aspects of robotics, types of locomotion, and applications. Learn how robots work and their impact on various industries.

What Are Robots?

Robots are artificial agents designed to operate in real-world environments. They perform tasks by manipulating objects through various actions such as perceiving, picking, moving, modifying, or even destroying objects. The primary goal of robots is to take over repetitive and mundane tasks, thereby freeing human workers from performing these tasks and eliminating the risks of boredom, distraction, or exhaustion.

What is Robotics?

Robotics is a branch of artificial intelligence that integrates Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science to design, construct, and apply robots. It involves creating machines that can perform tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention.

Aspects of Robotics

Robots are characterized by the following aspects:

• Mechanical Construction: The physical form and structure of the robot designed to accomplish specific tasks.
• Electrical Components: Components that power and control the robot's machinery.
• Computer Programming: Software that determines the robot's actions, including what tasks it performs, when, and how.

Difference Between Robot Systems and Other AI Programs

Here’s how robots differ from other AI programs:

Robot Locomotion

Locomotion refers to the mechanism that enables a robot to move within its environment. There are several types of locomotion:

Legged Locomotion

Legged locomotion allows robots to walk, jump, trot, hop, or climb. It is power-intensive and requires more motors to accomplish movement. This type of locomotion is suited for both rough and smooth terrains, where wheels might be less effective. It involves complex coordination of multiple legs, and the number of possible gaits increases with the number of legs. For example, a robot with two legs has six possible gait events, while a robot with six legs can have 39,916,800 possible events.

Wheeled Locomotion

Wheeled locomotion is generally more power-efficient and easier to implement compared to legged locomotion. It requires fewer motors and is stable with more wheels. Types of wheels include:

• Standard Wheel: Rotates around the wheel axle.
• Castor Wheel: Rotates around both the wheel axle and an offset steering joint.
• Omni-Wheel: Can rotate around the wheel axle and the rollers, offering multidirectional movement.
• Ball Wheel: Omnidirectional wheel that is challenging to implement.

Slip/Skid Locomotion

This type involves tracks similar to those used in tanks. The robot is steered by adjusting the speeds of the tracks, which offers stability due to the large contact area with the ground.

Components of a Robot

Robots are made up of several key components:

• Power Supply: Robots can be powered by batteries, solar energy, hydraulic systems, or pneumatic sources.
• Actuators: Convert energy into movement. Examples include electric motors, pneumatic air muscles, muscle wires, and piezo or ultrasonic motors.
• Sensors: Provide real-time information about the environment. Sensors include vision sensors for depth perception and tactile sensors mimicking human touch receptors.

Computer Vision in Robotics

Computer vision enables robots to 'see' and understand their environment. It plays a critical role in safety, security, health, and more. Computer vision involves:

• Image Acquisition: Using cameras or other devices to capture images.
• Processing: Analyzing and interpreting the captured images using algorithms.
• Display: Showing the results on a monitor or other display devices.
• Accessories: Including stands, cables, and connectors for the camera system.

Tasks of Computer Vision

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Converts scanned documents into editable text.
• Face Detection: Identifies faces in images, useful in security and access control.
• Object Recognition: Used in supermarkets, high-end cars, and more to identify objects.
• Position Estimation: Determines the position of objects, such as locating tumors in medical imagery.

Applications of Robotics

Robotics has a wide range of applications across various domains:

• Industries: Used for tasks such as material handling, cutting, welding, color coating, and more.
• Military: Autonomous robots can operate in hazardous areas, like the Daksh robot developed by DRDO for safe destruction of dangerous objects.
• Medicine: Robots assist in clinical tests, rehabilitation, and complex surgeries.
• Exploration: Robots are used in space exploration and underwater research.
• Entertainment: Disney engineers use robots for creating special effects in movies.