Artificial Intelligence: Robotics - Foundations, Components, and Applications

Introduction to Robotics

Robotics is a specialized area within Artificial Intelligence (AI) that focuses on the creation, development, and control of robots. A robot is an artificial agent designed to interact with the physical world, performing tasks that range from simple movements to complex, goal-driven actions. The objective of robotics is to free humans from repetitive or dangerous tasks, allowing robots to work tirelessly and with precision.

What Are Robots?

Robots are machines capable of sensing and manipulating their environment. They perform a wide variety of functions by perceiving, moving, modifying, and interacting with objects. Robots can operate continuously without boredom or fatigue, making them ideal for tasks that require consistency and precision.

What is Robotics?

Robotics combines Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science to design, build, and operate robots. Robots are equipped with:

• Mechanical Components: These are structures and motors enabling movement.
• Electrical Components: Provide power and enable control.
• Computer Programs: Determine the robot's actions and responses.

Differences Between Robots and AI Programs

AI Programs	Robots
Operate in simulated worlds.	Operate in the physical world.
Inputs are symbols and rules.	Inputs are analog signals (images, sound).
Run on general-purpose computers.	Require specialized hardware (sensors, actuators).

Robot Locomotion

Locomotion refers to a robot's ability to move within its environment. Various types of locomotion are used based on the task requirements:

1. Legged Locomotion

   • Allows walking, jumping, and climbing.
   • Offers versatility on rough terrain but consumes more power.
   • Requires multiple motors and coordination, with possible leg configurations ranging from one to six or more.
   • Example: A two-legged robot can have six movement combinations, while a six-legged robot can have nearly 40 million possibilities, making complexity proportional to the number of legs.

2. Wheeled Locomotion

   • More energy-efficient and stable than legged locomotion.
   • Ideal for smooth surfaces, with fewer motors needed.
   • Wheel types include:
     • Standard Wheel: Rotates around the axle.
     • Castor Wheel: Rotates around both axle and an offset joint.
     • Swedish Wheels: Omnidirectional, allowing movement in multiple directions.
     • Ball/Spherical Wheel: Complex but highly flexible.

3. Slip/Skid Locomotion

   • Uses tracks like a tank, providing stability due to a large contact area with the ground.
   • Ideal for environments where stability and strength are critical.

Components of a Robot

Robots are composed of several key components:

• Power Supply: Can be powered by batteries, solar energy, or hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Actuators: Convert energy into movement, using:
  • Electric motors (for rotation).
  • Pneumatic air muscles (for contraction).
  • Muscle wires (contract with electric current).
  • Piezo and ultrasonic motors (suitable for industrial applications).
• Sensors: Collect real-time information about the environment, including:
  • Vision Sensors: To detect depth and objects.
  • Tactile Sensors: Mimic the touch sensations of human fingertips.

Computer Vision in Robotics

Computer Vision enables robots to interpret visual information from the environment, playing a crucial role in safety, security, healthcare, and entertainment. This process involves algorithms that help robots comprehend visual data from images or videos.

Hardware Components:

• Power supply.
• Image acquisition device (camera).
• Processor.
• Software.
• Display device for monitoring.
• Accessories (e.g., camera stands, connectors).

Tasks in Computer Vision:

1. Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Converts scanned text into editable digital text.
2. Face Detection: Recognizes faces in images for security and authentication.
3. Object Recognition: Used in applications like supermarkets and autonomous vehicles.
4. Position Estimation: Determines the spatial position of objects, like locating a tumor in a medical scan.

Application Areas of Computer Vision:

• Agriculture
• Autonomous vehicles
• Biometrics
• Industrial quality inspection
• Face recognition
• Gesture analysis
• Medical imaging
• Pollution monitoring
• Robotics
• Transport

Applications of Robotics

Robotics has a wide array of applications across different industries:

1. Industry:

   • Robots handle material, perform welding, drilling, polishing, and painting tasks with precision.

2. Military:

   • Autonomous robots access hazardous areas, and models like Daksh (developed by India’s DRDO) are used for safe handling and destruction of dangerous objects.

3. Medicine:

   • Robots conduct clinical tests, assist in rehabilitation, and perform complex surgeries, like brain tumor removals.

4. Exploration:

   • Used in space (robotic rock climbers) and underwater exploration (oceanic drones), helping to access environments humans cannot.

5. Entertainment:

   • Robotics is also prevalent in entertainment, with Disney engineers creating animated robots for movies and theme parks.

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Robotics combines various engineering disciplines to create intelligent machines that enhance productivity, safety, and efficiency in diverse fields. By integrating sensors, vision, and actuators, robots are becoming increasingly capable of complex and autonomous functions, shaping the future of industries worldwide.