How are robots built?

Summary

Robots have moved from science fiction into reality, impacting industries like agriculture, space travel, medicine, and manufacturing. Advances in AI, sensors, and electronics have driven innovation, making robots more accessible. Despite their complexity, robots are based on human systems, with components like brains, muscles, and sensors. Robots like Shaky and modern creations from Boston Dynamics and Honda show significant progress, yet they are still far behind human capabilities. Building your own robot is now easier with DIY kits, encouraging innovation and exploration in robotics for beginners and experts alike.

Takeaways

• 🤖 Robots have moved from science fiction to reality, impacting various industries like agriculture, space travel, medicine, and manufacturing.
• 🚀 Advances in artificial intelligence, large data sets, affordable sensors, and demand for efficiency have accelerated robotic innovation.
• 🧠 Robots may seem complex but are based on human systems like skeletal structures, muscle systems, sensory input, power sources, and a control system (brain).
• 🔧 A robot's mechanical parts, such as motors and gears, help it move, grab, and lift objects, often powered by air, water, or electricity.
• 🖥️ The controller or 'brain' of a robot runs on a computer program that instructs the robot to follow specific commands.
• 👁️ Robots use sensors to gather data about their surroundings, including shapes, sizes, and distances between objects.
• ⚡ Power sources enable the robot's various components to function and carry out tasks.
• 📜 Shakey, developed in 1966, was the first robot to use artificial intelligence, marking a major milestone in robotics.
• 🏃‍♂️ Companies like Boston Dynamics and Honda are creating robots that can move similarly to humans, with advanced abilities like walking and climbing stairs.
• 🛠️ Building robots at home is now more accessible, with DIY kits from Raspberry Pi, LEGO Mindstorm, and other platforms offering easy entry into robotics.

Q & A

What are some industries where robots have started to make an impact?

Robots have begun to appear in industries like agriculture, space travel, medicine, and manufacturing.

What factors have contributed to the rapid progress in robotics?

The progress in robotics is driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, large data sets, lower costs for sensors and electronics, and a growing demand for efficiency.

What are the five major human organ systems that correlate with robotics?

Robots have counterparts to the skeletal structure, muscle system, sensory system, power source, and brain.

What is the role of the controller in a robot?

The controller, often considered the brain of the robot, runs a computer program that gives the robot detailed commands to follow.

What types of mechanical parts do robots typically have, and what do they do?

Robots have mechanical parts like motors, pistons, grippers, wheels, and gears, which help the robot move, grab, turn, and lift objects.

How do sensors function in a robot?

Sensors help robots determine sizes, shapes, space between objects, and directions, enabling them to interact with their environment.

Who created the world's first robot to embody artificial intelligence, and what was it called?

The robot called 'Shaky' was created in 1966 and is considered the first robot to embody artificial intelligence.

What capabilities did 'Shaky' have that made it revolutionary?

'Shaky' could perceive its surroundings, logically deduce facts, make plans, monitor execution, and correct its own errors, marking a major leap in robotics and AI.

What are some companies leading modern robotics development, and what have they achieved?

Companies like Boston Dynamics and Honda have developed robots that move fluidly, with Boston Dynamics' robots moving almost like humans and Honda's ASIMO learning to walk independently and climb stairs.

What are some resources available for beginners interested in building their own robots?

Beginners can use DIY kits like Raspberry Pi or Lego Mindstorm, which offer components and tools to build various types of robots, including mobile robots, robotic arms, and even mini Mars rovers.